Ontario Community Newspapers

Oakville Beaver, 30 Jun 2010, p. 3

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Oakville MPP and mayor applaud task for recommendations Continued from page 1 3 · Wednesday, June 30, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com This model also has the potential for implementation in other problematic airsheds across Ontario." One of the recommendations discussed in the task force's report called for the creation of an Airshed Management System that looked at air quality impacts on a cumulative rather than case-by-case basis. This would be significant. It would mean that when a newly-proposed emissions source is being considered for an area, government officials would not look solely at how much pollution that source was bringing to the area, but how much pollution is already there due to all other emitters. Recommendation 4 states "all applications for Certificates of Approval for new or modified industrial activities, which will increase emissions within the airshed, must be considered in light of the current capacity of the airshed. This recommendation would apply to the issuance of a Certificate of Approval for the (900-megawatt TransCanada) power plant.' The report went on to state that the approval of new emissions in the OakvilleClarkson Airshed should only be granted if there is no new net contribution to existing pollution levels. With this in mind, the report says no new major pollution sources should be permitted within the already taxed OakvilleClarkson Airshed unless there is some kind "I have every faith in our community that we will take a powerful first step by committing to emission reductions, which will set an example for the rest of the province on how to clean up our air." n Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn of plan to fully offset key air contaminants like PM (particulate matter) 2.5, PM 10, Nitrogen Oxide (NOX) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn has given the report his approval calling it a positive step to cleaning up the airshed. He also said the major recommendation of no new major emitters sends a clear message to TransCanada that its 900-megawatt gas-fired power plant, proposed for the Ford-owned lands of 1500 Royal Windsor Dr., has no place in Oakville. "The addition of a new industrial emitter is a giant step backwards and the task force made it clear we cannot wait any longer to take action," said Flynn. "I remain committed to ensuring that the TransCanada power plant is not built on the proposed Ford property site and as we go forward, I will be engaging every citizen, industry, smallbusiness and community organization in an effort to reduce energy consumption and overall emissions. I have every faith in our community that we will take a powerful first step by committing to emission reductions, which will set an example for the rest of the province on how to clean up our air." The recommendations also drew praise from Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. "The province appointed Dr. Balsillie to identify forward-looking solutions and he has responded to this challenge," said Burton. "The town agrees that a new Airshed Management System that looks at cumulative impacts of emissions and sets specific air quality improvement targets and strategies is required to achieve real improvements in local air quality. Oakville's innovative health protection air quality bylaw recognizes the harmful effects of PM2.5, so we fully support Dr. Balsillie's call for a provincial standard to regulate the emission of this harmful substance." Burton also agreed with the task force's recommendation regarding the proposed power plant. "Council is committed to protecting the health and safety of our community and the proposed power plant puts both of these at risk," said Burton. "Dr. Balsillie's findings confirm that it would be irresponsible to locate a power plant in the Oakville-Clarkson Airshed given the current levels of pollution that already exist in the airshed." TransCanada also welcomed the report's findings. "TransCanada welcomes all initiatives related to improved air quality. We received Dr. Balsille's report today and we are reviewing it. Our clean, safe and reliable power plant will meet growing demand as the province closes its old coal fired stations. We look forward to considering Dr. Balsille's report as we do our part to improve Ontario's air quality," said Chris Breen, spokesperson for TransCanada. While the task force may have called for a halt to new emissions in the airshed, it also pointed out that the emissions currently being produced here are also unacceptable. In this portion of the report the task force states that pollution from transportation, industrial and residential sources must come down and that municipal and regional governments, local industry and residents will all have to participate to make these reductions happen. Some of these recommendations included: · That funding be made available to industries through the Province's Industrial Energy Reduction Program along with an incentive fund to assist industries with going beyond environmental compliance. · That participation in airshed management be mandated through the Certificate of Approval process. See Task page 4 BOOK YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY NO TICKETS: $20.00 each CKETS: $20 00 ea h www.shrine-circus .com W! MISSISSAUGA SHERIDAN CENTRE Thursday - 12:00 Noon, 4:00 pm & 7:30 pm Friday - 4:00 pm & 7:30 pm Saturday - 12:00 Noon, 4:00 pm & 7:30 pm Sunday - 1:00 & 5:00 pm JULY 1 - 4, 2010 2225 ER MILLS PKWY. 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