Energy issues

The local energy task force continues to try and reinforce its concerns about the region’s energy needs for the expected mining boom to the Ontario Power Authority.

On Wednesday, Common Voice Energy Task Force co-chairman Larry Hebert gave a presentation on projected energy loads to handle the impending mining boom in Northwestern Ontario to the OPA and Independent Electricity System Operator at the Best Western Nor’wester Hotel.

An OPA/IESO team has been travelling the province the past couple of weeks listening to various stakeholders on their energy needs and getting their advice on how to improve engagement between the Ontario government and municipalities on energy planning and siting.

Hebert said the task force’s main message was the projected increase in energy loads in Northwestern Ontario, particularly around the stalled conversion of the Thunder Bay Generating Station.

“We’ve been working with the OPA for a number of years now convincing them that the load is much bigger than they’re anticipating. We’ve got them to come up a number of megawatts and we need to get a few more,” he said.

Earlier this year, OPA officials had argued that some of the proposed mines aren’t as ready as the task force believed.

And while some of the mines have been delayed for various reasons, including the price of gold and other metals, Hebert said they are going to happen and the region has to be ready.

“You can’t build the infrastructure after,” he said. “They might not come if the infrastructure’s not going to be there.”

While Hebert and the task force has give this information to the OPA in the past, he said they have to keep reiterating their points to make sure it stays on their radar.

OPA market transformation director Julia McNally said they are in talks with the community and have received great feedback and information.

“The OPA has been working with this region, looking at needs and our focus is always on balancing … looking to make sure we’re balancing both provincial and local needs,” she said.

“We will continue to do that and we will continue the conversation with this region.”
The focus of Wednesday’s session was process, she added, noting Thunder Bay was the 18th session they’ve had across Ontario.

McNally said they’ve been hearing a desire from stakeholders for more public engagement and collaboration with communities, municipal governments and First Nations and for more integration between electricity planning and municipal planning.

The OPA/IESO team will send their recommendations to the Minister of Energy for Aug. 1.

http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/289243/Energy-issues