Regional News
September 04, 2008 09:30 PM
Region tired of hearing same old issue, Fisch says
By: Patrick Mangion
The peaker plant dog and pony show rolled into York Region headquarters yesterday.
Some of the same proponents and detractors of a controversial power plant, planned for northern York Region, found a new audience to spar for.
Accusations of misinformation flew freely during the nearly three-hour debate at the regional economic development and planning committee.
After more than two hours, regional chairperson Bill Fisch had enough.
“This reminds me of Yogi Berra; It’s like deja vu all over again. We went through this issue five years ago,” he told the standing-room-only meeting.
“(The region) is a commenting party. We have no direct involvement. This is between the (Ontario Power Authority) and the municipalities.”
At issue, is the construction of a $250-million peak-demand natural gas power plant in Aurora, Georgina, King Township or East Gwillimbury by 2011.
The issue first surfaced about four years ago when the power authority planned to expand a hydro transmission line feeding northern York.
That plan was rejected following widespread public opposition.
Plan B has been a peak-demand plant, which will be used when demand for power threatens to exceed supply.
Proponents call it necessary to prevent blackouts.
However, the opposition, which has included community groups and the Clean Air Alliance, say the plan is flawed due to health and environmental concerns.
But with the power authority expected to select a site in the region’s north end as early as next month, power plant opposition threw what amounted to a political Hail Mary yesterday.
A representative from Concerned Citizens of King called on the region to stop the process and find a more sustainable solution.
But a peak-demand power plant is an insurance policy as necessary as the fire department, the power authority’s JoAnne Butler said.
The issue divided committee members as well.
“We need more power. I don’t think we should keep going backwards,” Mr. Fisch said.
Georgina Mayor Rob Grossi took a more diplomatic approach.
Attitudes have changed since proposals to bring more power to the region were first tabled, he told the meeting.
“I don’t like being forced into a corner where if you don’t like it, too bad,” the mayor said.
The four municipalities each sent a resolution to Queen’s Park earlier this summer, declaring themselves unwilling hosts for a power plant.
But the province can overrule them and dictate where the peak-demand plant will go.
A Sept. 17 mayor’s summit is expected to ignite more debate.