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TheBannerfTheBra ENVIRONMENT Thursday Ian A5 King bylaw could delay plans to build energy plant BY SEAN PEAHCE rceyrmg com Local formers are applauding a decision by King politicians to pass a bylaw that could derail construction of a393megawatt natural gasfired peaking generation plant in the Hol land Marsh Kings interim control bylaw with respect to the socalled plant is a good one as it will permit a closer look at the York Energy Centre project that came about through a flawed process and bad planning Holland Marsh Growers Association executive direc tor Jamie said This wasnt about delays of political expe diency This is about taking a better look at what the resources in the area are and I have to ask why the hell isnt every municipality in Ontario doing this Mr Reaume said In fact Ive got to take it a step further and ask why isnt there an official plan for the province This was a really topdown process and all the solutions are coming from the bottom Theres only one taxpayer and there needs to be more collaboration between the province and municipalities The growers association doesnt object to the need for electricity Mr Reaume said but has always taken issue with the Ontario Power Authoritys choice of Street near Millers Sideroad as its preferred site The winning bid came from Pristine Power There is only a finite amount of agricultur al land Mr said adding that found in the area is among the best and holds a specialty crop designation You cant just keep whittling away at our agricultural land Mr said Agricultural land is classified one to four Class five is only good for pasture and at class eight youre only growing rocks Mr said The marshs soil on the other hand is classified one and two With luck Kings interim control bylaw will permit time to look at the peaking plant in a and longei Reaume said adding the province needs location entirely More power may be needed he continued but building a fossil fuelpowered generator on top of agricultural land and so close to the bountiful Holland Marsh just doesnt make sense One shouldnt forget the potential for cli mactic changes and other longterm environ mental impacts also he added The interim control bylaw will give the township one year to review its landuse plan ning policies with respect to power genera tion and also offers an option to extend the duration of the study by another year Mayor Margaret Black said Anyone can appeal to the Ontario Munici pal Board about the bylaw Ms Black added notinga bylaw in Oakville adopted for similar reasons was recently upheld by the board Kings motivation was the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authoritys serious con cerns with safe access and the townships concern with the conformity to the Act as well as those of residents and other groups she said In a statement Pristine president and CEO Jeff Myers expressed his disappointment about the townships decision We are evaluating the potential impact of this bylaw on the overall project schedule as well as alternative actions that we may take including but not limited to appeals to the appropriate regulatory authorities and other legal remedies available to us he said The company hasnt determined the full effect of the bylaw on its plans but remains committed to the project Mr Myers added Mr Meyers referred to the project as shov elready and noted the mill ion project is expected to create about jobs during its 24month construction period Pristine has a 50percent interest in the project SKfl United IN TODAYS PAPER yfcjtjHHj COUNSELLING MEDIATION mi mm Auron Location Are you a NEW community agency serving the residents of York Region Do you need funding to help you with organizational development or a community service protect for 2010 Through the New Agency Development Fund NADF York Region is assisting in the development of new and emerging community agencies to provide services to York Region residents The Regional Municipality of York invites new community service agencies those that have been in existence for five years or less at the time of application to submit funding proposals for projects that address one or more of the following priority areas Homelessness programs and services Family and Children Strengthening programs and services Employment Supports Public health programs that compliment Regional public health initiatives such as sexual health healthy lifestyles and health protection Interested agencies can obtain a Purchase of Service Request package PSR1003 by visiting the York Region Administrative Centre Supplies and Services Branch First Floor Yonge Street Newmarket An Information Meeting on this Purchase of Service Request will be held on Tuesday February 2nd from pm pm in Committee Room at the York Region Administrative Centre 7250 Yonge Street Newmarket Preregistration is not required The deadline for proposals Is Thursday February 18 2010 at 1 pm prompt Late submissions will not be accepted For more Information Visit Contact the York Regions 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