King
August 28, 2008 09:42 PM
Township wants to get more information on impact of potential OPA decision
By: Patrick Mangion
Less than two months after digging in its heels over a controversial power plant, King Township appears to have a case of cold feet.
King council voted last week to revisit plans for a peak-demand power plant that politicians, in each of the four towns selected as potential sites, rejected earlier this summer.
It marks a complete reversal by the council, which said it would oppose all applications for a peak-demand power plant in a strongly worded letter to the province, dated July 7.
But last Monday’s decision means the town will now consider three applications from power plant developers Northland Power and Pristine Power.
The change of heart is in the best interests of the municipality, Mayor Margaret Black said.
“The (Ontario Power Authority) is making it clear, they’re going ahead with a power plant. People who want us to say no, right then, don’t understand the implications. You’d have no mechanism to gather more information,” she said.
Four developers have submitted applications for a 350- megawatt peak-demand power plant in either Aurora, East Gwillimbury, King Township and Keswick.
This week, Pristine Power announced plans for a new proposed site for the power plant off Dufferin Street, north of Miller’s Sideroad.
It is the third site proposed in the area, which is close to the soon-to-be-completed Holland transformer station.
There are now eight sites in total.
This summer, politicians in all four municipalities passed resolutions declaring themselves unwilling hosts for the power plant due to environmental concerns and community backlash.
However, the moves were dismissed by critics as political posturing since developers could take their case to the Ontario Municipal Board or the province could simply dictate where the plant would be built.
Last week’s decision at King council guards against that, Ms Black said.
“The OMB wants professional evidence, not claims of health issues. Council has to be responsible,” the mayor said.
Council will hire consultants to examine emissions, noise and community impact concerns. However, town policy requires planning applicants pay the cost of consultants.
Last Monday’s motion passed 5-2.
Councillor Cleve Mortelliti wanted the town to hold off on a decision until the power authority selected a site. Councillor Jeff Laidlaw favoured approving the applications.
No timeline has been set for hiring a consultant.
King council’s decision was welcome news at the power authority — the province’s electricity planning agency — which has appealed for an open and fair application process since the peak-demand proposal was first introduced.
“We’ve always believed the best course, on everyone’s part, is to let the process proceed,” spokesperson Tim Taylor said.
Applications to build the power plant must be submitted before November and a site decision will be made before the end of this year.
In the meantime, mayors of northern York Region’s towns are holding a summit in Georgina Sept. 17, where they are expected to vote on a proposal by opposition group Megawhat.
For a list of public information sessions being held throughout northern York Region, visit
www.powerauthority.on.ca