Power plant protesters want FordÂ’s support

Oakville Power Plant Protests spotlight a proposed 900-megawatt natural gas plant, with residents demanding an independent environmental assessment amid safety, air pollution, and public health concerns near homes and schools by the QEW.

Residents opposing a gas-fired electricity plant want Ford Canada to support their demands for an independent environmental review of its former land.

More than 500 peaceful protest marchers alleged the planned 900-megawatt plant on 5.25 hectares of land that Ford sold last year could pose safety and pollution hazards.

There are 11,000 homes and 16 schools within three kilometres of the site southeast of the sprawling facility along the QEW, Citizens For Clean Air C4CA organizers said in a letter to company president David Mondragon.

It said Ontario laws “ironically... would restrict a wind power plant from being built at the same unique location.”

Protest signs read: “Stop power plants near homes and schools” and “What if an explosion happened?”

The crowd demanded Premier Dalton McGuinty approve an independent assessment instead of one being conducted by the builder, TransCanada Energy Ltd.

The Calgary firm’s website says it would invest $1.2 billion in the Oakville Generating Station, and that it would be clean, highly efficient and designed to meet or exceed all regulatory environmental requirements.

The target date for opening is February 2014.

The proposed plant was one of four approved by Ontario Power Corporation, C4CA chairman Frank Clegg said.

The others, including one at Milton-Halton Hills slated to open this fall, have few homes nearby, Clegg said.

He insisted his group, which claims 20,000 members, isn’t trying to halt the plant and would approve it pending an independent review.

Ground was to be broken this month but plans were delayed for an environmental report.

“Ford won’t talk to us,” Clegg said, adding Trans-Canada hasn’t adequately answered protesters’ concerns.

But Ford communications vice-president Lauren More told the Sun she had “several conversations” with a C4CA committee member.

More, who accepted their letter, promised the company would “consider it carefully.”

“The Ontario government made the decision to locate the power plant in Oakville,” she said.

Earlier reports outlined potential sites across the GTA for such a plant, officials said.

She wouldn’t comment on C4CA statements the land sold for $50 million.

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