January 12, 2011
Group objects to dam
plans
by Vance Gutzman
Long before they're set to generate any power, a pair of hydro dams
being proposed for construction along the Petawawa River are generating
lots of public controversy.
Concerns about the proposed dams have prompted the Black Bay Ratepayers
Association (BBRA) to schedule a public meeting for this coming Monday,
January 17, at the Petawawa Lions Club.
Two dams are being proposed for construction along the Petawawa River
by Xeneca Power Development, under feed-in tariff (FIT) contracts from
the Ontario Power Authority.
One of the contracts that has been awarded to Xeneca for potential
development is for the Big Eddy generating station, with the dam
straddling CFB Petawawa on the north side and the town of Petawawa on
the south, abut 240 metres upstream of the railway bridge.
The dam, which proponents say could generate 5.3 MW of clean, renewable
energy, would be comprised of a concrete and earthen water spillway
dam, along with a conveyance channel, powerhouse and transformer
station.
The second FIT contract awarded to Xeneca is for the proposed Half Mile
Rapids generating station, further upstream from the Big Eddy within
CFB Petawawa's ranges.
The Half Mile, which would contain essentially the same infrastructure
as the Big Eddy, would have the potential to generate 3.3 MW of
hydro-electric capacity.
The Black Bay Ratepayers Association is more concerned about the Big
Eddy proposal.
More specifically, the BBRA has three concerns, according to its
webpage.
The first is the association's contention that the appearance of
a 350-metre stretch of the river in the middle of Petawawa could
be ruined, because the section of the river between the dam and the
powerhouse would run at minimal flow for 10 months of every year.
The second concern raised by the BBRA is that the Big Eddy could have a
"serious impact" on public safety downstream of the
dam. The BBRA contends that, for 10 months of the
year, there would not be enough water flow in the river to run the
proposed generator at its rated power, meaning Xeneca would have to
hold back water at the Big Eddy dam and release it at the peak power
period.
That, says the BBRA, would add 55 cubic metres/second to the flow going
over the dam.
"There is clearly a public safety concern for anybody near or in the
water downstream of the powerhouse," the BBRA's webpage states.
"Centennial Park is just 500 metres downriver."
The BBRA's third concern has to do with the potential impact on
wildlife in the Petawawa River, and on the lake sturgeon species in
particular.
Al Hepburn, president of the ratepayers association, spoke with the NRT
and said he hopes the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) currently
being undertaken on the projects will address his group's concerns
about wildlife impacts.
"I would hope the Ministry of Natural Resources would look after the
interests of the fish," Hepburn said, while cautioning, however, that
the EA isn't likely to address his group's concerns about safety issues.
The BBRA will present its concerns at the Petawawa Lions Hall, on
Victoria Street, starting at 6:30 pm on Monday evening.
Hepburn will be making the same presentation to Petawawa council that
same night.
A spokesman for Xeneca Power Development concedes that there are some
critics of his company's plans along the Petawawa River.
"A mixed reception is a fair way to put it," Mark Holmes, vice
president of corporate affairs with Xeneca said.
"There are a couple of groups who are very vocal, and this is the time
for them to be so."
Xeneca hopes to have both dams producing power by April 30, 2015, but
Holmes said the company will be doing its due diligence along the way
in trying to meet that target date.
"That doesn't mean any shortcuts will be taken," Holmes said.
"You still have to cover all your bases.".
|
