Province Scrubs Oakville Power Plant Plan
Posted October 7, 2010 1:17 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A concerned group of citizens in Oakville opposed to a plan to build a natural gas-fired power plant in their city managed to harness the power of a famous American environment activist and spent about a year of fighting the province’s proposal.
It appears as though their efforts worked.
On Thursday Ontario Energy Minister Brad Duguid announced that plans for the 900 megawatt Oakville power plant have been scrubbed. Citizens for Clean Air (C4CA) argued the proposed site at 1500 Royal Windsor Drive was too close to homes and schools.
Duguid said projections for energy demands were higher four years ago and the government now says it doesn’t need the power that could have been generated in Oakville.
“As we’re putting together an update to our Long-Term Energy Plan, it has become clear we no longer need this plant in Oakville,” he said. “With transmission investments we can keep the lights on and still shut down all dirty coal-fired generation.”
Oakville MP Liberal Kevin Flynn was also opposed to the plan the province claimed was necessary to generate the power needed to meet Ontario’s demands.
“My duty as MPP has always been to put the priorities of Oakville first, and together, our voice was heard. I am tremendously pleased that this power plant will not be built anywhere in Oakville,” Flynn said. “I would like to thank my constituents for their support, and Premier McGuinty and Minister Duguid for their willingness to listen.”
Last week Erin Brockovich, who was portrayed by Julia Roberts in the 2000 film that bears her name, spoke in Oakville about the power plant.
The Liberals may have to pay dearly for the decision. Reports suggest TransCanada, the company contracted to build the facility, could sue the province for up to $1 billion.
