On June 19th I attended Atura Power’s Open House in Mooretown to provide information regarding a proposed electricity generation plant powered by natural gas. I appreciated the company’s effort to inform the public and I noticed display boards indicating that Atura Power was, or would be, consulting with local First Nations.
It is strange, therefore, that St. Clair Township Council has not reached out to the public and First Nations to explain their enthusiasm for natural gas over alternatives. It is especially concerning in light of the fact that over 30 Ontario municipalities have endorsed motions calling for a phaseout of gas power. Concerns over air pollution that increases the risk of asthma and other diseases and the added carbon emissions that drive global heating (climate change) are certainly warranted.
About 70% of the natural gas used for this plant will come from the U.S. which will weaken our energy sovereignty. Furthermore, this imported gas is mostly extracted by hydraulic fracking which is very destructive to the local environment. Fracking sites also release methane into the atmosphere, a potent greenhouse gas.
Considering these reasons and also the probability that natural gas prices will increase, a strong argument can be made to invest in clean renewable energy combined with battery storage. Renewable energy is the cheapest form of energy and with improving battery storage technology that can provide electricity on cloudy and windless days it will also provide 100% energy sovereignty. It just makes good economic sense.
First Nations are developing renewable energy and battery storage projects across Canada including a growing number in Ontario.
The old Lambton Generating Station site is large enough to accommodate a battery storage site. In fact, Atura Power is in the process of constructing a 300MW battery storage plant at the former Nanticoke Generating Plant in Haldimand County. Also, in Haldimand County is a 250MW battery storage facility called the Oneida Energy Storage Project that began operations recently. It is a collaboration between local First Nations and other energy partners.
If St. Clair Township Council wants to boost the local economy while protecting energy sovereignty and if Council values clean air and the importance of fighting climate change then it needs a re-think.
Allan McKeown for Climate Action Sarnia-Lambton