Peaker plant sparks debate

Peaker plant sparks debate

News

By: Sandra Bolan

There’s a lot of talk swirling around TransCanada’s proposed natural-gas fueled electricity generating station in Bradford and there’s more talk to come.

A meeting on the subject resulted in a packed house at the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library last Monday. Two days later,  TransCanada held an open house on the plan at the Bradford and District Memorial Community Centre.

TransCanada is scheduled to bring the issue to Bradford West Gwillimbury council Tuesday, the same night the Ontario Power Authority is planning an information session at the library from 5 to 9 p.m.

While opponents of the plant say it will damage the environment and possibly human health, proponents say it’s needed to prevent blackouts in northern York Region.

The Ontario Power Authority will ultimately decide where the plant will be built. While council can pass a resolution stating the town is an unwilling host for the facility, the need for more power trumps that, power authority spokesperson Tim Taylor said.

However, should the power authority choose the Bradford West Gwillimbury site, council will have some control over the situation through its planning processes, he said.

The Ontario Power Authority first identified the need for a new energy supply for northern York Region in 2005.

Earlier this year, it issued a request for proposals seeking companies to build a natural-gas fired power plant to serve the region. The plant is to operate only when demand for electricity is highest, which is expected to be 10 per cent of the time.

TransCanada’s proposed Bradford site is one of several sites throughout the region up for consideration. The proposal calls for the construction of a simple cycle plant on industrial lands at 2214 Ninth Line.

The Bradford plant would be designed to produce about 350 megawatts of power.

The power authority ruled out other energy sources.

“Wind, hydroelectric and nuclear generation were considered but eliminated as not being feasible because no capability was identified in the area or those technologies do not effectively address the particular supply needs of northern York Region,” the Ontario Power Authority’s website states.

“Solar was not considered because it is not of sufficient scale to meet the need and current technology makes it prohibitively expensive.”

However, one of the biggest opponents of building a generating station, the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, argues conservation, not a new generating station, is needed.

The alliance recommends allowing local utilities to power down air conditioners and pool pumps when power reaches peak demand, among other conservation techniques. It notes that from 2005 to 2007, the average energy consumption per person dropped 4.6 per cent, adding Ontario should try to build on that trend.

Before any generating station project goes ahead in Bradford West Gwillimbury, town council wants to make sure the proposal is peer reviewed, Bradford West Gwillimbury Mayor Doug White said.

That process involves having a town staff member or outside expert examine the proposal, at TransCanada’s expense, to ensure it is safe.

“We need to have a comfort level with the science,” Mr. White said.

“I’m a big supporter of (renewable resources),” he said. “Whoever reviews this, I want them to have a background in renewables.”

The Ontario Power Authority expects to select a proposal to proceed with by the end of the year, Mr. Taylor said.

— With files from Patrick Mangion

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