The natural gas-fired peaking plant proposed for northern York Region might be sent back to the drawing board if a Toronto MPP’s private member’s bill gets the nod from Queen’s Park.

Toronto-Danforth MPP and NDP energy critic Peter Tabuns introduced a bill designed to make it against the law to build a simple cycle power plant, such as the one being proposed by the Ontario Power Authority, of greater capacity than 30 megawatts in northern York Region or Bradford-West Gwillimbury.
Bill 79 is designed to encourage a more eco-friendly approach to energy thinking, Mr. Tabuns said.

We need to put our money into pollution-fighting energy efficiency and renewable energy, he said. “Putting our money into the very inefficient plant that is proposed will increase pollution and reduce funds available to install the alternatives.”

If Bill 79 passes, the OPA’s plan to build a $250-million, 350 MW power plant in the northern portion of York Region would likely have to be scrapped or overhauled.

Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees said he has a great deal of respect for Mr. Tabuns, but added  the whole thing is simply quixotic.

“That private member’s bill is just nonsense and I assure you it will go nowhere,” he said.

Mr. Tabuns is no stranger to the fight against such facilities.

He tried unsuccessfully to stop the construction of a natural gas-fuelled plant called the Portlands Energy Centre in his riding.

It’s his hope improved efficiency and conservation strategies will be seen as more viable alternatives to simply building a new mega-power facility this time around.

The construction of the energy centre has undermined investment in very high efficiency generation and alternative energy in Toronto, Mr. Tabuns said, adding he sees no reason to perpetuate this approach.

Mr. Tabuns’ sentiments seem to be in line with the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, which is advocating greater conservation, enhanced efficiency and, perhaps, the construction of a much smaller 30 MW facility to meet those peak demand times.

They would be more than happy to see the proposed 350 MW plant meet its demise.

The Ontario Power Authority, however, has maintained the peaking plant is an absolute necessity for the future of York Region’s electricity needs and to avoid the possibility of brown-outs or, worse, black-outs.
Regardless of the bill the OPA is moving forward and accepting proposals from developers to build at a number of possible sites including some in East Gwillimbury, Aurora, King and Georgina.

Georgina’s town council has already declared its objections to having the project built there and classified itself as an unwilling host.

King, however, didn’t follow Georgina’s lead, while East Gwillimbury has yet to render its decision on the matter and is currently gathering more information.  Newmarket town council has endorsed the OPA’s recommendation.

Taking a page from East Gwillimbury, Aurora council voted to refer a resolution from Newmarket back to staff for more information. There’s no timetable for the review.

Mr. Klees said he believes the whole issue of whether or not a 350 MW power plant is needed requires a second opinion.

He said he’s not necessarily against the project or looking to stall it, but added having a work group go back to the table and revisit the issue would go a long way towards allaying some of the public’s fears and putting some unanswered questions to rest.

“For Mr. Tabuns to set up a restrictive and otherwise simplistic piece of legislation like this is just nonsense.”

Whether or not his bill passes doesn’t necessarily lay with the politicians, Mr. Tabuns countered. Instead the power, in this case, rests with the people.

“If the McGuinty government sees that they are facing political damage by proceeding with their heavily polluting plant they may back off and support this bill,” he said.

“If they think they can get away with their plan they wont support this bill. Ultimately, their decision about how to invest in electricity will be a political decision.”

For more information about the Ontario Power Authority, or to view a list of developers bidding on the peaking plant, visit powerauthority.on.ca

— with files from Patrick Mangion