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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1979-06-20, Page 4Page 4—Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, June 20, 1979 Porter Commission vindicates farmers' concerns Farm spokesmen feel many of their concerns about Ontario Hydro have been vindicated by the report of the Porter Royal Commission on Electric Power Planning on the need for additional bulk power facilities in Southwestern Ontario. The Royal Commission made public its report in Lon- don on June 13. It concluded that Ontario load projections have limited credibility. "We argued throughout the March hearings in Lon- don, Kitchener, Wingham and Chatham that Hydro's forecasts didn't match what we know is happening in Southwest Ontario," says Elbert van Donkersgoed, spokesman for the Food Land Steering Committee. "Porter has obviously agreed with our concerns." The Food Land Steering Committee was the main public intervenor during the March Need Hearings. It is made by of representatives from 7 farm organizations including the Ontario Insti- tute of Agrologists, Ontario. Federation of Agriculture, National Farmers Union, and the Christian Farmers Feder- ation of Ontario. Pat Daunt, a beef producer from Huron County, observ- ed after the Royal Commis- sion's press conference, "It's more than we expected but not a bit more than agriculture deserves.''4 Porter's report does not give Ontario Hydro a go ahead to make plans for any new bulk facilities. Instead it calls for changes in some of the basicFof Ontario Hydro's ,whole approach, .such as its forecasting procedures. It even calls for a re-evaluation of an already committed bulk facility - units 7 and 8 of Bruce Generating Station B. Throughout the hearings farm spokesmen argued that' Hydro's .concern for getting more power out of Bruce Generating Station was out- side the Porter Royal Corn - mission's terms of reference. They argued that Bruce GS B Arlene Turner takes a turn at bat when the Noisy Ladles recreational ball team .played in Lucknow on Thursday, June 14. ,It was the first home game of the season and their first loss as they. were defeated by the Goderich Superstars 10.9. [Sentinel Staff Photo] Noisy Ladies lose their first game The Lucknow Noisy Ladies played against the Goderich Superstars in Lucknow on June 14 and lost by a score of 10 - 4. Judy Van Kooten hit a home run for Lucknow. related to all of Ontario, not just Southwest Ontario. The Royal Commission's report recognizes that Bruce GS B is a component in the total electric power system and should be evaluated as such. "For 5 or 6 years farmers have been saying that Ont- ario Hydro has never proved that it needs Bruce GS B," • says Elbert van Donkersgo- ed, who serves as Secretary - Treasurer of the farmer committee. "Government approved construction of Bruce GS B on forecasts that have now conclusively been shown to be inaccurate. It's my view," says Mr. van Don- kes,goed, "that the need for completion of the construc- tion at Bruce GS B should immediately be reviewed be- fore it becomes even more of a technilogical albatross than it already is. There are no transmission facilities for power from Bruce B. And farmers are not going to allow the use of food land for transmitting power that has no demonstrated need." Senior Citizens Week From June 18 23 ALL SENIORS WILL RECEIVE 20% Discount 'on Purchases [Except Sale Items] Surrcmerfest Specials Jean Jackets 15% Off 1 Large Jeans ' 42, 44, 46 $12.95 Bell Shits $8.95 . Char -Man's Work Clothing OPEN MONDAY THRU SATURDAY LUCKNOW 528 2526 •\..�.1��iiviiiiNy��uniwim I if: •■ • [ PaI-O.- Pak CELWLOSE HOME INSULATION .: Pal - 0 . Pak is light in weight ,' Res,itant to Fire, Moisture/ and Vermin` A Tornado Blower Is available for\ rent For do-it-yourself Application �p VOURSEIf John 6W. Henderson Lumber Ltd. PHONE 528-3118 LUCKNOW 4•0•4.646.i.........,...••••••••••••4:4•••••••••••-•• ....... ... .....,.......`...rs......�.......,•.........,........:a.�..r..�...+ e