Huron Expositor, 2017-04-12, Page 1010 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, April 12. 2017
Energy Generating Project brings possible risks to the environment
16 Dr. Stan Spacek's passionate and
thorough presentation to Council,
in search for accountability
from NRStor's latest project
Kathleen Smith
Postmedia Network
In September 2016, the
Ontario Energy Minister, due
to an abundance of projects,
cancelled all Energy Gener-
ating Projects submitted
under the Green Energy Act.
One slipped through the
cracks, and over a year ago,
the NRStor Energy Generat-
ing Project Proposal was pre-
sented to Goderich Town
Council.
Dr. Stan Spacek, Vice Pres-
ident and Treasurer of the
Maitland Valley Family
Health Team, presented to
Council last week on Mon-
day, April 3, arguing against
the proposed Energy Gener-
ating Project.
"This has been very taxing
for me, the process of col-
lecting information. I have
lost 11 pounds since Janu-
ary. I have lost countless
nights of sleep. The matter
that I bring to you today,
weighs heavy on me, and I
thank you for the opportu-
nity to present today," said
Dr. Spacek in his opening
remarks.
Looking for accountability
to the selective information
presented by NRStor to
Council, Dr. Spacek gave a
passionate and thorough
presentation, aiming for a
motion from Goderich Town
Council to rescind their sup-
port that was lent to the pro-
ject in its infancy.
"I do this because it is the
right thing to do for the com-
munity. I care for my com-
munity. I want to advocate
for what is right for the peo-
ple and the institutions in
our town," stated Dr. Spacek
in an explanation as to
where his passion for the
project develops.
Claiming the NRStor pro-
ject as a risk to the commu-
nity and the environment,
Dr. Spacek thoroughly criti-
cized a letter,
which selectively informed
members of Council on the
project, and was sent from
NRStor to propose the
Energy Generating Project.
Dr. Spacek did his
research and discovered that
the proposed site for the
energy plant is not only near
residential streets (including
a daycare), near a church,
and also on land that is sub-
ject to erosion, but there is
an endangered snake living
in the nearby river.
Dr. Spacek ran into a road-
block, and that was regard-
ing how difficult it has been
attempting to get a hold of a
politician or member of the
Ministry of Environment
and, short of begging, asked
the Town Council to assist in
this endeavor.
"I don't think NRStor actu-
ally knows and certainly
their environmental assess-
ment makes no mention of
the fact that there is an
endangered snake that lives
in this river, right on the
bank. I think this needs to be
brought to the attention of
the Ministry of Environ-
ment," explained Dr. Spacek.
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environmental vetting of this
project, Dr. Spacek spoke
about the inherent risks with
energy plants in sensitive
environmental areas, and
the long term consequences
and risks of such a project.
The proposed technology
for this Energy Generating
Project by NRStor, was
summed up as compressing
and storing air in the salt
caverns. The air is later
released, turning turbines,
generating electricity, simi-
lar to the hydroelectric dams
that hold water.
Drawing information from
the only two facilities in the
world of the proposed pro-
ject, Dr. Spacek was able to
inform members of Council
that "the cutting edge tech-
nology" that was included in
the information provided by
NRStor in the original pro-
posal, was quite the
opposite.
One facility in Germany
was built in 1978 and the
other in Alabama in 1992.
Both facilities have become
marginalized due to other
technologies being intro-
duced and contributing to
the grid.
The energy generating
plant or facility would be
around the size of a football
field, be fully automated,
and would not produce jobs
for members in the
community.
The lack of positive eco-
nomic impact coupled with
a sensitive environmental
area, Dr. Spacek argued that
the Council should be com-
pletely informed, and re-
consider their support 01)
such a project.
Dr. Spacek ended his pas-
sionate and informative
presentation with words
directed towards members
of Council, but also mem-
bers of the community.
"It is essential that the
Town Council act in the best
interest of the people they
represent. This project has
risks and a scope that the
town will not be able to con-
trol and contain. I ask the
Town Council to fight as
fiercely as I do. I'm certain
that if you act passionately
and if you care a whole awful
lot, things will get better."
Town Council suggested
to reach out to the Ministry
of Environment, passing
along the information and
presentation Dr. Spacek has
diligently worked on the last
few months.
Several Town Council
members spoke up regard-
ing Dr. Spacek's presenta-
tion, supporting the motion
to pass along the informa-
tion to the Ministry of
Environment.
Councillor Hanson said,
"We always want to make
informed decision."
Adding to this statement,
Councillor Murdock
explained that the previous
presentation from NRStor
was selectively informative
and "in terms of providing
lower energy costs, I don't
know how that's possible.
This wasn't mentioned
before. This doesn't seem
appropriate if they want us
to make an informed deci-
sion. I'm certainly support-
ive of the work you are
doing."
In a majority vote result,
supporting Dr. Spacek, it was
decided the Council would
pass along the information
to the appropriate govern-
ment office on Dr. Spacek's
behalf.
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