News Release

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TOWN WANTS STRONGER ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR POWER PLANT
Letter to Minister sets out compelling arguments to support town’s position

Oakville, November 12, 2009 – For Immediate Release

The Town of Oakville is stepping up its pressure on the province to take action to address the environmental and health impacts of the proposed TransCanada power plant. The town has asked the Minister of the Environment, the Honourable John Gerretson to intervene immediately to require a more comprehensive individual environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed power plant.

“The town strongly believes it is in the best interest of our residents to ensure the proposed power plant undergoes a thorough public examination of the potential effects of the plant and possible alternatives,” Mayor Burton said. “I don’t understand the province’s desire to rush this plant through an abbreviated environmental approval process. There is no benefit to our community from such haste.”

Environmental lawyer Rodney Northey of Fogler, Rubinoff LLP, acting on behalf of the town, set out the arguments in support of a comprehensive EA in a six-page letter posted to the town’s website (www.oakville.ca). The arguments include the likelihood of major adverse environmental effects from the plant, including concerns about the lack of separation distance from residential areas and impact on local air quality, inadequate existing environmental laws and standards, inadequate public engagement allowed by the current public review process, and concerns about the overall best interests of the public.

“This is just one of many actions that this Council will be taking to bring the concerns of Oakville residents to the attention of the province,” Mayor Burton said. “We’ve engaged legal and environmental experts to help us prepare evidence-based actions to prevent the proposed power plant project from impacting our residents.”

Earlier this year, Council passed an interim control by-law and official plan amendment to ensure the necessary planning work and impact studies could take place before any power plant over a 10 megawatt capacity could be constructed in Oakville. Ford and TransCanada appealed the by-law and official plan amendment to the Ontario Municipal Board. A decision is pending on that hearing, which ended on October 20, 2009.

For more information, visit Oakville.ca.

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