CCKT pleased to see Green party fighting the peaker plant

Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schneider (second from right) was seen with Holland Marsh farmers Carmine Minichiello and Avia Eek, Concerned Citizens of King Township Chair Debbie Schaefer and Jamie Reaume, executive director of the Holland Marsh Growers’ Association on the banks of the canal, overlooking to the site of the proposed peaker plant. Photo by Bill Rea Residents fighting the proposed peaker plant in the Holland Marsh have received some significant backing, namely from the leader of the Ontario Green party.

Party Leader Mike Schreiner was on hand last Friday near the proposed site, along with several local farmers and representatives from the community, including Debbie Schaefer, chair of Concerned Citizens of King Township (CCKT).

“We need a political party that’s willing to speak out on this issue,” he declared.

Schaefer offered the CCKT membership an update of the issue at their general meeting in King City Thursday evening.

Things have been moving, she said, as she reported that Pristine Power Inc., the developer of the project and half owner of the facility to be known as York Energy Centre, has applied to the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) for a licence to generate power. OEB has a window for questions to be received regarding the proposal, and she said CCKT is working to get their questions in by today (Wednesday).

Schaefer also reported Enbridge has applied for the licence to install the 16- kilometre pipe that will be connected to the complex. She said King City area resident Harvey Tenenbaum, who has worked in the industry, will be involved in the hearings.

In addition, she said CCKT has made appeals to review the archaeological study that’s been done of the site. Schaefer said some people believe this area is very rich in artifacts. A Stage 2 Study was submitted by Pristine, and Schaefer said the Ministry of Culture approved it. But she said it can be appealed, and the group is working on that, hoping to have the study peer reviewed.

Schaefer maintained that even if the plant must go in, those artifacts should not be lost.

She also said an anonymous donor has agreed to put up the money to fund the peer review.

In addition, Schaefer said Pristine has stated the Township has had the site plan application for the plant for some time. But she added she understood the Township had just received an updated report from the Lake Simcoe and Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) just a couple of days prior to that.

“Pristine is being very, very aggressive,” she remarked.

But one point Schaefer stressed was a very comprehensive report from LSRCA in September, which stated this proposed plant is in violation of the Provincial Policy Statement. For one thing, she said the Statement does not allow such facilities in a floodway.

The Authority added if the development is approved, there are 25 issues that will have to be addressed. Schaefer said they had just learned that Pristine had addressed all 25, but LSRCA maintains this is still in violation of the Provincial policy Statement.

The issue is slated to come up tomorrow (Thursday) when LSRCA meets, and Schaefer said CCKT is planning to make a deputation to the board.

Schaefer also expressed appreciation for the support offered by Schreiner a week before, as she pointed out that he had declared this was a case of the wrong technology going into the wrong place.

Schreiner declared his intentions to launch a province-wide campaign against the plant, pointing out it’s slated to go on some of the best agricultural land in Ontario.

He added it was irresponsible for the government to have moved forward with a project that will see the costs increase, due to fluctuations in the price of natural gas. He also stated his party’s position that it’s more financially responsible to reduce energy demand through investments in efficiency and and the promotion of 21st century green energy.

“I believe that communities should be empowered to make decisions that are in the best interests of citizens and unique local circumstances,” he declared. “I am calling on the McGuinty government to issue an immediate moratorium on their plans to impose a gas-fired plant on the residents and farmers in the Holland Marsh – one of Ontario’s most important agricultural areas that is critical to producing healthy local food that benefits all Ontarians.”

He also pointed out many people want access to locally-grown food.

Jamie Reaume, executive director of the Holland Marsh Growers’ Association, said he was not surprised to get the support from Schreiner.

“We’re ultimately in the same boat,” he observed.

He too was mystified that such a facility is being eyed for a flood plain, near a canal.

He added the scope of the project has changed. He said that originally, this plant in northern York Region was supposed to be independent of the rest of the grid. “That’s no longer the case,” he said.

“To us, it’s deeply concerning,” he said, adding the farmers went to a lot of effort working with LSRCA to live within the rules.

Schaefer had also been on hand for Schreiner’s appearance in the Marsh.

“I think it’s wonderful that he talks about it being a provincial problem,’ she said. “Its not Ansnorveldt’s or King’s problem.”