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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, March 26, 2010 · 8 Prime Minister passes the torch on mayor's request By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Prime Minister Stephen Harper has declined an invitation, put forward by Oakville Mayor Rob Burton, to meet and discuss the mayor's concerns regarding the proposed 900-megawatt gas-fired TransCanada power plant's close proximity to rail lines. In a letter dated Feb. 26, the Prime Minister's Director of Tours and Scheduling, Deborah Campbell, stated that, "Due to prior commitments on his schedule the Prime Minister regrets he is unable to meet and has asked me to refer the request the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable John Baird." Despite the snub, news of the referral was well received at Town Hall. "I look forward to hearing from Minister Baird and discussing this issue with him," said Burton. "The proposed site for the power plant in Oakville is metres away from major rail lines and this is a serious risk that the Minister Prime Minister Stephen Harper needs to know about." Burton sent the request for a meeting to the Prime Minister on Feb. 12, just days after an explosion took place at a 620-megawatt gas-fired power plant in Middletown, Connecticut. In the letter, Burton said the explosion had caused tremendous concern for the community of Oakville and highlighted the risks the Ontario government is taking by placing the 900-megawatt plant on the Ford-owned lands of 1500 Minister John Baird Royal Windsor Dr., directly adjacent to Canada's busiest rail corridor. "As you may be aware, the explosion in Connecticut resulted in the death of five people, damaged homes a mile away, and caused a sonic boom and tremors that were felt 20 miles away. As a result of the tragedy, the state of Connecticut imposed a temporary no-fly zone for a three-mile radius around the site. The state's Emergency Operations Centre Mayor Rob Burton was activated, and the Department of Public Health was called upon to provide tents for shelter and triage," wrote Burton in the letter. "Imagine the impact of the Middletown scenario on the rail lines that are directly adjacent to the proposed TransCanada power plant. The possibility of disrupting commuter travel and the transport of goods and services on this rail line should be of serious concern to Transport Canada and warrant a thorough investigation by your department." Burton also sent a letter to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, asking him to re-evaluate plans to build the 900-megawatt power plant in light of the Middletown incident. In a Feb. 17 response, McGuinty thanked Burton for sharing his views, but said he was committed to creating local power generation in the southwest GTA. McGuinty also wrote he had asked the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Brad Duguid to speak with Burton regarding his concerns about a Middletown-style explosion. Burton has also written letters to the heads of VIA Rail, CN and Ford Canada about the safety issues highlighted by the Connecticut explosion. TransCanada has stated that the Middletown explosion could not happen in Oakville because TransCanada cleans its gas lines with compressed air rather than natural gas, which was done in Middletown. HERITAGE Lifestyle Home Furnishings SINCE 1977 Our Spring Collection has arrived! Kristin's offers unique classic styles, with an edge. We will be pleased to assist you with all your fashion needs for the upcoming season. Sizes 2-18 Regular & Petite S LE IM IN A ATH ME ST E DI OC L R AT K E E D FO EL R IV ER Y Incredible 100% Leather Sofa & Loveseat In Stock Now $2699 Maple Grove Village, Oakville · Maplegrove Rd. @ Cornwall Rd. · 905. 845.0655 4205 Fairview Street, Burlington 905-634-5298 www.heritagefurniture.ca