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project overview
The Ontario Power Authority has advised TransCanada it has been awarded a 20-year Clean Energy Supply Contract to build, own and operate the 900 megawatt (MW) Oakville Generating Station (OGS) in Oakville, Ontario. TransCanada expects to invest approximately $1.2 billion in the natural gas fired combined cycle plant which is scheduled to start producing power by February 2014.
TransCanada will work with the OPA to finalize the contract by mid-October 2009.
Once built, the OGS will be:
- A natural gas fired combined cycle power generation facility planned to be in-service by February 2014.
- Located on private, industrial land in the town of Oakville on Royal Windsor Drive, situated just east of the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW).
- Required to meet all municipal, environmental, health and safety approvals, before it can proceed.
The OGS will:
- Help address long term electricity supply issues in the local and regional area
- Provide the reliability required to support Ontario’s growing renewable energy electricity production such as wind and solar
- Provide dispatchable, rapid start-up response and fast response to changing electricity demands
- Contribute toward replacing coal-fired generation
- Provide stability to the regional transmission system
The input of the local community is very important in the development of this facility and extensive consultation will continue to be undertaken with area stakeholders.
This proposal is in response to the Ontario Power Authority’s (OPA) Request for Proposals.
Stability of electrical supply is critical to ensure that the residents and businesses in the region continue to receive uninterrupted power service. According to the Ontario Power Authority (OPA):
- Even with aggressive conservation measures, Ontario needs new generation to ensure adequate and reliable electricity supply
- A new power plant will help ensure a reliable, adequate and secure electricity supply in one of the fastest-growing regions of the province
- The plant will support the province’s drive to reduce the greenhouse gases linked to climate change by eliminating coal-fired generation and replacing it with cleaner forms of electricity
- Gas-fired generation complements the growth of renewable sources of electricity, by supplying on-demand power at times when more variable sources such as wind and solar aren’t available
STATUS & TIMELINES
Our next steps involve completing an Environmental Review Report which will be made available for public review and comment later in the fall. Emissions from OGS will meet or better all environmental regulatory standards.
Timeline:
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
The new facility will meet or exceed all environmental regulatory requirements based on scientific evaluation of potential health and environmental impacts.
We will strive to ensure that the proposed project will have no significant human health or environmental impacts through:
- Adherence to Provincial, Federal and North American standards
- Thorough study and analysis at the design stage
- Obtaining necessary approvals from government agencies charged with the protection of the environment and people prior to construction
- Ongoing monitoring and reporting throughout the life of the project
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
Open House
TransCanada is continuing its work to build, own and operate the Oakville Generating Station, a 900-megawatt high efficiency combined cycle
natural gas-fuelled electricity generating station on an industrial site on the south side of Royal Windsor Drive just east of the South Service Road,
in Oakville. The facility is part of Ontario’s plan to supply clean, reliable energy to homes and businesses in Oakville and the southwest GTA, while
allowing for the closing of Ontario’s coal-fired electricity generating facilities.
TransCanada is committed to engaging with area residents, community organizations and interested parties throughout the development of this project. A
public open house was held on February 10, 2010 between 4 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to present information and answer questions about the facility and to
summarize the key points included in the Draft Environmental Review Report and supporting technical documents that TransCanada has completed.
This open house was held at the Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre located at 2515 Wyecroft Road.
Environmental Review Report - Public Review
TransCanada has completed a Draft Environmental Review Report (Draft ERR) and supporting technical documents. The report will be available for public review from January 26 to February 26, 2010. Results of stakeholder feedback and comments on the Draft ERR become a key part of the Final Environmental Review Report (Final ERR) and are integral to the approval process. The Final ERR will be released in the coming months and will be available for public review and comment for a 75-day period. We will inform you of its availability when it is released.
Details will be advertised shortly regarding a public Open House to present information about the facility, summarize the key points in the Draft ERR, and answer any questions. Copies of the Draft ERR and supporting technical documents will be available on this website and at the following locations:
Clearview Library
1148 Winston Churchill Blvd.
Oakville, 905.815.2033
Iroquois Ridge Library
1051 Glenashton Dr.
Oakville, 905.338.4247
White Oaks Library
1070 McCraney St. East
Oakville, 905.815.2038
Central Oakville Library
120 Navy Street
Oakville, 905.815.2042
Clarkson Branch Library
2475 Truscott Dr.
Mississauga, 905.615.4840
Oakville Town Hall
1225 Trafalgar Road
Oakville, 905.845.6601
The Draft ERR will also be available with some community organizations. Please contact us for further details. Please send any comments to:
Chris Cinnamon
TransCanada Oakville Generating Station
8th Floor, 55 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M5E 1J4
Telephone: 1.866.317.9887 Fax: 905.764.9386
E-mail: oakville@transcanada.com
Click on the links below to view the Draft Environmental Review Report
Cover
Table of Contents
Acronyms
Chapter 1 - Project Overview
Chapter 2 - Description of the Existing Environment
Chapter 3 - Project Description
Chapter 4 - Assessment & Management of Environment Effects
Chapter 5 - Commitment to Mitigation & Impact Management
Chapter 6 - Public & Agency Consultation To Be Updated
Chapter 7 - Environmental Advantages & Disadvantages
Chapter 8 - References
Appendix A - Natural Environment Appendices
Appendix B - Public & Agency Consultation Documents
Supporting Document 1 - Air Quality Assessment
Supporting Document 2 - Acoustic Assessment
Supporting Document 3 - Traffic Planning
Supporting Document 4 - Human Health & Eco Risk Assessment
Supporting Document 5 - Aquatic Assessment
Supporting Document 6 - Cumulative Effects Assessment
On Tuesday, November 24, 2009 TransCanada held a session with representatives from 23 community groups and associations in Oakville and southwestern Mississauga. The meeting was a professionally facilitated discussion on air emission and human health impacts. The objective was to continue to engage the community and enable health and environmental experts to answer questions and respond to concerns. If you have any questions about the material in the Information Session Presentation please contact us. Review a copy of the Stakeholder Information Session Summary Report.
TransCanada will continue to post information on this website to keep the public informed. A third open house will be held in January which will be open to all members of the public.
Economic benefits to the community
- TransCanada will pay municipal taxes annually and contribute to community programs
- Approximately 500 construction jobs will be created over a period of about 33 months
- Local spending on goods and services including food, lodging and supplies will be significant throughout construction and during operations
- Additionally, approximately 25 permanent jobs wil be created
OGS will help meet critical energy needs in the area. The facility is to use the latest low emissions technology and be designed to a high environmental standard.
ENVIRONMENT AND SAFETY
Environment
All aspects of the facility will be evaluated for potential impacts, including but not limited to noise, air, human health and the natural environment. The facility will be designed, constructed and operated to eliminate or minimize environmental impacts and will use low emissions technology. The project will meet or exceed all regulatory environmental requirements and requires approval from the Ministry of the Environment prior to construction.
Natural gas is much cleaner than other fossil fuels. According to the OPA, natural gas reduces our carbon footprint by producing less than half the greenhouse gases, less than one-third of the nitrogen oxides and about one percent of the sulphur dioxide of an average coal-fired plant.
Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment (MOE) is responsible for monitoring and protecting air quality in the province and sets strict limits related to emissions from these plants. Air quality is one of the key issues that will be addressed as part of the environmental review of this project.
As required by the MOE, the project is subject to a Screening Stage environmental assessment. In recognizing the importance of addressing issues thoroughly and at early stages of development, we will voluntarily go directly to the next stage of the Screening Process and prepare an Environmental Review Report (ERR). The ERR will be made available to the public for review and comment, and is subject to approval by the MOE.
Safety
TransCanada has safely operated natural gas fired power plants in Ontario for almost 20 years with no public safety incidents.
Safety of the public, employees and the environment is a top priority. TransCanada will consult with local emergency responders throughout the project’s development and extensive emergency response procedures will be developed in line with industry standards.
Natural gas fuelled power plants are already in use in communities like Toronto, Brampton and Mississauga. These plants provide a safe method of energy production. Gas is delivered through the natural gas distribution system and is not stored on site.
BACKGROUND
Publications
Useful Links
Related Articles
CONTACTS
We look forward to working with the community to further develop our proposal and to address the needs of the people and businesses in this region. As such, we would be pleased to answer and address any questions or concerns you may have about the proposed Oakville Generating Station and encourage you to get in touch with us using the contact information below.
Project Email
oakville@transcanada.com
Project Phone
1.866.317.9887
Media inquiries
1.800.608.7859
Mailing address
Oakville Generating Station
TransCanada
8th Floor, 55 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M5E 1J4
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