25 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, November 13, 2009 · www.oakvillebeaver.com www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, November 13, 2009 · 24 An Open Letter from Citizens For Clean Air (C4CA) Re: Proposed Oakville Gas-Fired Power Plant What is C4CA? Citizens for Clean Air ("C4CA"), a non-profit organization, is a coalition of volunteer citizens from Oakville and Mississauga who are very concerned with the proposal to construct a large gas-fired power plant extraordinarily close to many homes and schools, beside critical railway lines, and in an already over-polluted area with high levels of respiratory health problems. C4CA believes that we are all being rushed down a path that defies common sense, and that this power plant should not be built at the proposed site owned by Ford of Canada ("Ford"). We are committed to ensuring that there is a full and proper assessment of the proposed gas plant's impact on the environment, the community, residents and others who would be exposed to its emissions. C4CA is asking for full and immediate disclosure of all information and agreements relating to the power plant, its bidding and selection process, and the Ministerial actions that began and guided that process. We are also seeking genuine consideration of whether Ontario needs this plant and, if it does, whether the proposed location is the best of all possible alternatives. Where would the Proposed Power Plant be Built? p A 900 megawatt natural gas power plant to be built and operated by TransCanada Energy Ltd. ("TransCanada") is being proposed for a narrow strip of land owned by Ford between Cornwall Road and Royal Windsor Drive in a quiet, established, residential community in east Oakville. The plant would be extraordinarily close to schools and homes, the nearest being only about 400 metres away. Six schools and an estimated 1,000 homes would be within 1 km, 10 schools and an estimated 5,000 homes would be within 2 km, and 16 schools and an estimated 11,000 homes would be within 3 km. It is extremely unusual to build a large fossil fuel plant close to homes and schools because, among other things, this defies common sense, good planning and sound science. Proper planning and assessment leads to plants with much larger buffer zones, preferably in sparsely populated locations. This common sense approach is missing here. Consider that recent amendments to Ontario's laws strictly prohibit placing even a wind turbine with a generating capacity of 1.5 megawatts within 550 metres of homes. Yet this proposal would put a 900 megawatt fossil fuel plant much closer than that to both homes and schools. It is therefore up to Ontario citizens to step up and be heard if we are to avoid a potential cocktail of risks and hazards and a legacy that we would all regret. It is important that we put ourselves on a more sensible path. November 13, 2009 About the Proposed Power Plant p Key information includes: · The 900 megawatt power plant would be one of the largest gas-fired power plants in Ontario, capable of producing enough electricity for an estimated 900,000 homes · Hundreds of tonnes of known toxic substances would be discharged into the air, including ultra fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) that is inhaled deeply into lungs and has been linked to reduced life expectancy and a variety of serious health effects · These chemicals would be discharged into an air shed that is recognized as already overly-polluted and into a community with high levels of respiratory health problems · Oakville and Mississauga are being surrounded by other new fossil fuel plants, including the recent Goreway station in Brampton, a power plant under construction in Halton Hills, and a gas plant being developed in Mississauga · Significant noise and vibration from the power plant, especially severe during ramp up periods, would likely create serious impacts to health and quality of life · Huge volumes of water would be used by the plant, and great amounts of wastewater/sewage would be discharged by it, with potential for significant impacts on people, Lake Ontario, wetlands and wildlife · Vapour clouds (water plumes) would be visible for kilometres and would produce periods of fog and icing that would likely create serious threats to residents and to safety and efficiency along the adjacent railway lines and roads, including the QEW · The plant's location beside railway lines creates added risks in the event of a train derailment · Despite its extraordinary features, the plant is being fast-tracked with an argument of urgency, even though Ontario's official electricity operator, the IESO, has forecast ample existing power capacity for many years into the future · Twenty year energy supply agreements of this kind typically include guaranteed profits for the operator which, in some cases, have led to huge taxpayer-funded costs even if the plant sits idle. The Montreal Gazette recently quoted Hydro Quebec's CEO as saying that suspension-ofproduction deals with TransCanada cost taxpayers "about $130 million, $140 million a year" to have recently constructed plants sit idle · Local governments have not had a chance to conduct their assessment of the power plant's impact on the community, and are not being given the time they need to do so · The Town of Oakville, the City of Mississauga, the Region of Halton, and the Region of Peel are unified in their unanimous opposition to this project · TransCanada is following only a simple screening/environmental review level environmental self-assessment, under which it can unilaterally decide what the impacts may be, whether an impact is important, and whether the project should proceed Missing Information, Unanswered Q g , Questions and a Flawed Process Many questions are being raised about a process that was started by the former Minister of Energy and Infrastructure under cover of a green energy policy, but that is now taking us down a path that defies common sense and responsible social, health and environmental planning. Action is needed to get information and answers, and to put ourselves on a better path of common sense, transparency, and proper assessment and planning. What is Ford's Role? Ford has entered into a transaction to provide TransCanada with the land for the proposed site. C4CA was very pleased that, in its November 4 "Open Letter to Oakville", Ford expressed support for local residents' request for increased information from the Ontario Power Authority with respect to the site selection decision. We also note that Ford has clarified that it is not partnering with TransCanada, and that it is encouraging additional dialogue between the Ontario Power Authority and local residents. In addition to these actions, we respectfully call on Ford to: · clearly state that, like the community as a whole, it does not support the power plant project and that it shares the concerns expressed by other citizens and by local governments · actively assist and support our call for an individual environmental assessment, including involvement of the provincial and federal governments, and our call for answers to the many open questions · release all information and agreements it has about the proposed plant or its location, including conditions to closing its transaction, arrangements for TransCanada's use of Ford lands and property for construction facilitation, and any proposed use and/or transfer of Ford's rights to easements, water taking, water pipelines, wastewater facilities, licenses, permits, conduits, rail lines or otherwise. C4CA would also appreciate any funding support Ford is prepared to provide to it, other citizens groups, or the Town of Oakville in this respect. We applaud Ford's global efforts to become an environmentally responsible company, and its commitment to the health and safety of its own workers in the community. We hope that Ford shares our concerns about the proposed gas plant and that it will work to help put us on a better path. What Should be Done? 1. We deserve full disclosure of all information related to this project, which would have enormous and serious effects for many decades. The Ontario Government (including the Ontario Power Authority, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, and the Ministry of the Environment), TransCanada and other organizations should release all agreements and information related to the proposed power plant, including the bidding and selection process and Ministerial actions. Ontario citizens deserve nothing less - it is our environment and lives that would be impacted if this plant were to proceed. 2. There must be an individual environmental assessment of the proposed gas plant, with involvement by both the provincial and federal governments. The potential risks and special qualities of this project cry out for a proper, individual environmental assessment. Only in this way will TransCanada be able to honour its own public statements that "impact to people and the environment will be vigorously studied as part of the environmental review process", "community input is a key component of the development" of the project, and that it is "committed to meeting the highest regulatory standards". A self-assessment process is wholly inadequate, and we trust that the Ontario Government and TransCanada will do the right thing - we deserve nothing less. 3. Local governments should be allowed the chance to do their jobs. Local governments should be allowed sufficient time and information to properly assess the proposed power plant's impact on the community. No one should be allowed to skirt these municipal powers and responsibilities. 4. We need to know how much this will cost Ontario taxpayers. All profit guarantees, incentives and other agreements that could expose Ontario taxpayers to significant costs should be disclosed. 5. Alternative paths need to be explored. There should be genuine consideration of whether Ontario needs another fossil fuel plant and, if it is needed, whether this residential location is an appropriate location and the best of all possibilities. 6. Concerned citizens must act quickly. Beginning with the former Minister of Energy and Infrastructure's original directive, efforts have been made to put this project on a short timeline. TransCanada is now moving quickly to remove obstacles in the way of its targeted mid-2010 construction start. How Can You Help? p C4CA has assembled a strong team of legal, regulatory, environmental, health and medical, engineering, financial and other experts. But the efforts of all concerned citizens and local governments have only just begun. Although time is of the essence, it is not too late for you to make a difference. TransCanada must show that the proposed power plant will not harm the community and its people, and must comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. You can still make a difference. Doug MacKenzie President C4CA TAKE A STAND. IT'S NOT TOO LATE. DONATE TODAY! Go to www.c4ca.org for more information.