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Premier hands over concerns to ministry staff By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF 5 · Wednesday, February 24, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Ontario's Premier appreciates Oakville's concerns, but says the 900-megawatt gas-fired power plant, proposed for the Ford-owned lands of 1500 Royal Windsor Dr., is still coming. This was the gist of a letter received from Premier Dalton McGuinty in response to a letter from Mayor Rob Burton in which Burton asked McGuinty to re-evaluate the power plant's location given the recent explosion at a 620-megawatt gas-fired power plant in Middletown, Connecticut. That explosion killed five people and reportedly shook homes as far as 50 kilometres away. The proposed Oakville Generating Station would be less than 400 metres from nearest residential area. "Our community is worried about its health and safety," said Burton. "The explosion of a power plant under construction in Connecticut is an example of "Our government, the Ontario Power Authority and TransCanada Corporation, the project proponent, have listened carefully to the community's concerns. I have noted your comments about Middletown, Connecticut. As the issue would best be addressed by my colleague, the Honourable Brad Duguid, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, I have asked that the minister, or a member of his staff, respond to you directly." Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty the need for new, clean and reliable power in the southwest GTA. Our government, the Ontario Power Authority and TransCanada Corporation, the project proponent, have listened carefully to the community's concerns." McGuinty also wrote he has asked the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Brad Duguid to speak with Burton regarding his concerns about a Middletown-style explosion. Burton has invited Duguid to tour the site of the proposed power plant in an effort to convince the provincial government of the folly of placing it there. Besides McGuinty, Burton said he has written Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities John Baird and the heads of VIA Rail, CN and Ford Canada about the safety issues highlighted by the Connecticut explosion. The residents' group Citizens for Clean Air (C4CA) is asking all Oakville residents to join them in a Tuesday, March 2, rally at Queen's Park against the power plant. For information about transportation to the rally, visit www.c4ca.org/rally-on-march-2. For related stories, see page 7. SMALLEST, MOST ADVANCED & DISCREET HEARING INSTRUMENT why we're concerned. The proposed site on Royal Windsor Drive is too close to homes and schools." In his Feb. 17 response to Burton, McGuinty thanked him for sharing his views, but noted he was committed to creating local power generation in the southwest GTA. "Our government remains committed to both improving power supply and reducing emissions in the southwest GTA -- a region which requires local generation to ensure long-term reliability and where urban expansion has resulted in above-average growth in peak demand," wrote McGuinty. "The proposed 900megawatt gas-fired generation facility is essential in meeting Hear Right Canada 2457 Mount Forest Drive (at Guelph Line) Burlington Hamilton & Stoney Creek Location opening in March 905-335-5252 hearrightcanada.ca Re Saf Ladies, Heading South?? i H i S Visit Watch Us Fashions First! sit - 20 hrs in-class - 10 hrs HomeLink - Evenings & Weekends - Small class sizes - Use of interactive tools to keep students engaged - 10 hrs private in-car lessons - Flexible scheduling & pick up - Driver training simulation labs - Adverse Weather effects - Risk free environment - Focused on highway, urban & city driving LIMITED SEATS REMAINING FOR MARCH 13 · March 13, 14, 15, 16 (9:30am-3:30pm) Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday (March Break) · March 18, 19, 20, 21 (9:30am-3:30pm) Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday (March Break) YEARS 25 Proud to be a driver training service provider for the Vancouver/Whistler 2010 Winter Games! Chosen Chos because of our 25 YEARS in the industry, exc nt try exce y excellent xc x inst instructors and state of the art driving simulators. ns ato ator s ators tor get registered · get trained · get driving · get DriveWise For course information: www.drivewiseoakville.com info@drivewiseoakville.com 905.845.7200 Watch Us Fashions 1131 Nottinghill Gate (Glen Abbey) 905-827-2271 Open 7 Days A Week