Environmental group vows to work with new power plant

Protect Our Water and Environmental Resources (POWER) plans to work with TransCanada Energy (TCE) to ensure the environmental impact of the 683 MW natural gas fired power plant to be built in the 401 Corridor is minimized. "POWER does not want to be an organization that just opposes projects," said POWER president Leslie Adams. She said the group met with all of the companies that attempted to win the contract for the generating station. "We want to work collaboratively with companies to enhance community sustainability and corporate environmental responsibility. We felt that TCE was the most professional, flexible and committed in their approach to the environment." Adams said one of the potential projects POWER is discussing with TCE is the idea of off-setting the carbon of the plant by enhancing local forests.

She said they are looking to make the plant "carbon neutral." POWER board member Ann Geh said while the group works toward green energy as the objective for

Ontario, "we were not given that choice in this government's decision." "To that end, we will work to

minimize the long-term effect of the gas-fired plant, and will continue to work to ensure that the citizens of Halton Hills receive a generating station that has the least impact possible," said Geh. Halton Hills Councillor Bryan Lewis, who didn't support TransCanada's proposal for the plant, said at this point he wishes them well, but admits part of him is disappointed the generating station was approved by the Ontario Power Authority. "I still maintain that it's not what I call `prestige development' and having done a little bit of research, I've been informed by others it's not prestige industrial, but yet the Town has the opinion, so I have to accept that part. It doesn't mean you have to like it," said Lewis. He said TransCanada does have "some other hurdles they have to go through." Ken Lawday, president of Hornby Association of Ratepayers (HARP), said the group is looking at the power plant as the "lesser of two evils" "This isn't the high employment prestige

industrial use that we had hoped would move into the area, however, HARP is not against the generating station," said Lawday. "In our opinion it is much better that the large truck distribution facility that was previously planned for that site." He said HARP and other stake holders have been working with TransCanada on the ongoing design of the site, and is currently reviewing the company's environmental report. Adams said POWER and TCE have been in contact as to the next stage in their relationship and POWER agreed to review and offer suggestions on the documents produced by TCE in support of its bid. She added POWER plans to form a sub committee that will focus on energy, and part of its mandate will be to work with TCE. Anyone with expertise to offer or who wants to be more involved as the project moves forward is asked to contact POWER by sending an e-mail to info@powerhalton.ca. Adams said, with an electrical generating station slated to be built in Halton, POWER chose electrical conservation for the theme of other its annual general meeting to be held Nov. 29, 6:30 p.m. at John Elliot Gallery. Anyone interested is welcome to attend.