LSRCA to check if peaker plant complies with Provincial Policy Statement

Foes of the proposed peaker plant slated for the Holland Marsh presented their case to the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) recently.

LSRCA board members also received a staff update on the issue, as well as agreeing to consult legal counsel on how the proposed facility relates to land use regulations, particularly with the Provincial Policy Statement.

Pristine Power Inc. was named a year ago by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) to build a 393 MW gas fired peaking generator in Ansnorveldt.

LSRCA was a commenting agency regarding the site plan approval application that has been submitted to King Township. The authority recommended refusal in September, but the staff report stated additional information was subsequently submitted.

“Staff are confident that the majority of the technical issues related to this proposal have been satisfied or can be satisfied as conditions of site plan approval, save and except safe access, which has not yet been resolved to the authority’s satisfaction,” the report stated.

King Township was well represented before LSRCA, including Debbie Schaefer, chair of Concern Citizens of King Township (CCKT). Katherine Parson, executive director of Global Environmental Action Group, was on hand too.

Schaefer focused on protecting the natural environment and rural character of King.

“Our 300 family members have an interest in the longterm protection of natural features such as wetlands, forests, protection of agricultural lands and maintaining the character and quality of life of the Township’s small villages and farmlands,” Schaefer said, adding CCKT has been collaborating with variety of groups on this issue, including MegaWHAT?, Save The Oak Ridges Moraine (STORM) coalition, Greenbelt Alliance, Holland Marsh Growers’ Association and many individuals.

Schaefer commented on the involvement of CCKT and several individuals, who have been very active in the process, which was triggered by a January 2008 directive by the then Minister of Energy to build a gas-fired generator in northern York Region.

“The scope of our interest has included understanding the stated need, assessing the identified solution namely gas fired peaking generator, the process for identifying developer and site, the process for validating the wisdom of the selected developer and site,” Schaefer commented.

She also pointed out that Pristine Power is proposing to build on a flood plain.

“This particular flood plain and its surrounding area were inundated a mere 55 years ago when Hurricane Hazel went through,” she declared.

She also said Pristine wants to build infrastructure in the protected countryside of the Provincial Greenbelt. “The government is playing deaf and dumb,” she charged.

Schaefer pointed to other problems, including the fact the project has been assessed for environmental impact by the same process which is used for assessing wind turbines.

“The Ministry of Environment is negligent in maintaining regulations which categorize this generator as having same risk profile in terms of environmental impact as renewable sources, such as solar or wind turbines or a hydroelectric facility smaller than 200 mega watts,” she said.

She also charged the selection of a solution to the “alleged gap in supply” and the selected site has not been compared to alternatives, in terms of environmental impact.

“What is at stake is not just this generator,” she concluded. “All conservation legislation is at risk of being bent and twisted in response to short term, profit driven private self interest.”

Parson touched on the flooding and Hurricane Hazel, saying what is left behind is some better infrastructure, a body of conservation authorities to protect residents, and pieces of paper, legislation, lines on maps to tell where building can and cannot take place. “What we don't have is grownup from that time to warn us not to go near the water,” said Parson. “The oral history lingers in the Marsh, as well as the fear, passed from generation to generation, that this could happen again.”

Pristine President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Myers explained why there is a need for a peaking generation in Northern York Region.

He explained that a gasfired peaking generation facility would provide predictable and reliable power during periods of peak demand when quick response electricity is needed.

“Currently, the region receives its electricity supply via a 230-KV line from the Clairville Transformer Station in Vaughan,” Myers said.

“The new generation facility in northern York Region would provide a continuous load supply if there was a loss from the Clairville Transformer Station.”

Myers also said the peaker generation will assure ongoing reliability and security of electrical supply to northern York Region and King.

“That is a big plus,” Myers said.