| AIR QUALITY TASK FORCE - SWGTA: Clarkson-Oakville Airshed |
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See also MIRANET articles: AQTF website: www.ene.gov.on.ca/airquality-taskforce AIR QUALITY TASK FORCE: REPORT AND ACTION PLAN is now Released.
RECOMMENDATION 1 RECOMMENDATION 2 RECOMMENDATION 3 RECOMMENDATION 4 RECOMMENDATION 5 North Oakville Today article (June 30, 2010): New airshed report points to action. Excerpt: "The Action Plan on the Oakville-Clarkson Airshed prepared by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it was released last Thursday, and it outlined the need to take action, rather than conduct more scientific studies. ... 'Because there is not room in the air shed for more emissions, if the power plant were to get its certificate of approval it would require offsets,' said Balsille. 'An opposite amount [of emissions] needs to be removed from the air shed before they get their certificate from the Ministry of the Environment.'" Oakville Beaver editorial (June 29, 2010): What does it take? Excerpt: "What does it take to get the Ministry of Environment’s attention? What does it take to make Premier Dalton McGuinty and his government to admit that the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) made a mistake when it selected TransCanada’s proposed 900-megawatt gas-fueled power plant on Royal Windsor Drive as the lottery winner of the Southwest GTA Replacement Power Plant sweepstakes. ... we have to wonder whether the recently released report by the South West GTA Air Quality Task Force and its 30 recommendations will finally get the attention of the government. ... If adopted, the recommendations would seem to put an end to any plans of building a gas-fired power plant in the Oakville-Clarkson airshed. However, although the air quality task force was formed by the minister of environment last fall, there is no requirement to make the recommendations binding. The Province can simply ignore the findings of its own task force and continue business as usual with its head planted firmly in the sand. We can only hope that the Province will finally see the light, admit its mistake, and follow the advice of its own task force." Mississauga News article (June 25, 2010): Airshed report calls for change. Excerpt: "Ward 2 Councillor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ... and Mayor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it met with task force chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it last week to discuss their concerns. Mullin said they also want no further certificates of approval to be issued until emissions in the airshed are reduced. The task force, created last September, unveiled its report containing more than 30 recommendations to reduce vehicular, industrial and residential emissions. One of the recommendations was for the Ministry of the Environment to set a provincial standard for air emissions. Mullin said that's important because it, 'shouldn't be done in piecemeal fashion; it should be done province-wide.' ... The report states that ... municipal and regional governments, local industry and residents will all have to participate to make it happen." Oakville Beaver article (June 25, 2010): Air quality task force releases report: Recommends banning new sources of air pollution. Excerpt: "The South West GTA Air Quality Task Force has recommended that no new major sources of pollution be developed in the already taxed Oakville-Clarkson Airshed. ... 'The Action Plan creates a unique opportunity for the Ministry of the Environment and its many potential partners to make a real difference through sustainable improvement in air quality in this airshed,' said Task Force Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it in his report. ... The recommendations also drew praise from Oakville Mayor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . ... [who] agreed with the task forces recommendation regarding the proposed power plant. ... 'Dr. Balsillie’s findings confirm that it would be irresponsible to locate a power plant in the Oakville-Clarkson Airshed given the current levels of pollution that already exist in the airshed.'" Town of Oakville news release (June 25, 2010): Town welcomes report of Balsillie Task Force on Oakville-Clarkson Airshed. Excerpt: "'The province appointed This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to identify forward-looking solutions and he has responded to this challenge,' Mayor [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it said. 'The town agrees that a new Airshed Management System that looks at cumulative impacts of emissions and sets specific air quality improvement targets and strategies is required to achieve real improvements in local air quality. Oakville's innovative health protection air quality by-law recognizes the harmful effects of PM2.5, so we fully support Dr. Balsillie's call for a provincial standard to regulate the emission of this harmful substance.'" Mississauga South MPP This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Press Release (June 25, 2010): Air Quality Task Force Delivers Comprehensive Action Plan. Excerpt: "Today, the Southwest GTA Air Quality Task Force (AQTF) released its report on the Clarkson-Oakville airshed. Mississauga South MPP Charles Sousa responded to the report by again calling for emissions reductions and standing by his position that no new emitters be built in the area. Since taking office in 2007, Sousa has supported south Mississauga residents in calling for emissions reductions and emphasizing the need to manage the cumulative effect of multiple emitters. The much anticipated report made 35 recommendations including: • Restrictions on new sources of emissions, including the proposed power plant in Oakville; Oakville MPP
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, Press Release (June 25, 2010): Air Quality Report a Positive Step to Cleaner Air in Oakville. Excerpt: "'I would like to thank Dr. Balsillie and members of the Task Force for their solutions-oriented report that aims our community and the provincial government in the right direction towards cleaner air,' said Flynn who went on to say that the report clearly illustrates that action must be taken immediately to clean-up Oakville’s air and that maintaining the status quo is just not good enough. Dr. Balsillie and the Task Force brought forward more than 30 action-oriented recommendations with a clear implementation plan that includes a fully engaged community partnership that focuses on reducing emissions from transportation, industry and residential sources. ... One of the recommendations suggested that no new emission sources should be added to the area which Flynn noted would include the proposed TransCanada power plant stating that 'the addition of a new industrial emitter is a giant step backwards and the task force made it clear we cannot wait any longer to take action.'" Air pollution is an important issue within the Clarkson-Oakville Airshed, as recognized by the Ontario government, which created the provincial Air Quality Task Force to address "how to improve local air quality in the Clarkson-Oakville Airshed through the reduction of air emissions from industrial, vehicular and residential sources." The Air Quality Task Force was announced on September 30, 2009. On November 24, 2009, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it was appointed as the one-person Task Force. The final report of the Task Force, with a comprehensive Action Plan to improve air quality, is to be completed by the end of June 2010. Click here for the Backgrounder on Dr. David Balsillie. WEATHER NETWORK SERIES: The Weather Network has produced a five-part series (March 2010): Power... At What Cost? about the Oakville Generating Station. The video stories are now online (click to view). Segments four and five feature This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it of the provincial AQTF. MIRANET is represented on the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) of the AQTF, per correspondence below: • AQTF Letter to MIRANET dated Jan. 13, 2010. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- June 17, 2010: Meeting #6 (Final). May 20, 2010: Meeting #5. April 22, 2010: Meeting #4. Agenda March 25, 2010: Meeting #3. Agenda February 17, 2010: Meeting #2. Agenda January 20, 2010: Meeting #1. Agenda ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oakville Beaver article (April 16, 2010): Air Quality Task Force forming strategy to reduce air pollution. Excerpt: "With its deadline fast approaching, a member of the Southwest GTA Air Quality Task Force says the group is making progress on an action plan that, if successful, will reduce air pollution throughout the area. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , the Town of Oakville’s environmental policy director and a member of the task force’s Community Advisory Committee, announced Tuesday the committee has met once a month since January and discussed a wide range of options that could be put in place to reduce industrial, vehicular and residential emissions. ... Task Force Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it assembled the Community Advisory Committee in the hope its unique perspectives and various expertise would be useful in putting together a plan complete with emissions reductions targets and timelines and strategies for reaching those targets." Oakville Beaver article (Jan. 22, 2010): Air Quality Task Force chair wants action - not more reports. Excerpt: "After nearly two months of consultations the South West GTA Air Quality Task Force is another step closer to developing an action plan that, if successful, will reduce air pollution throughout the area. The task force, which was formed by the Minister of the Environment to reduce industrial, vehicular and residential emissions, has assembled a Community Advisory Committee consisting of representatives from community groups and residents' associations, industry, municipalities and regional health units ... the task force is watching the power plant process carefully and is developing scenarios concerning the emissions reduction measures they will take if the power plant is built and ... also looking at the various legal instruments available in a number of jurisdictions that would support enforcement of any recommendations approved by the government. " Provincial Air Quality Task Force, SWGTA - News Release (Jan. 15, 2010): Air Quality Task Force Establishes Community Advisory Committee. Excerpt: "The following persons, representing local community groups and residents’ associations, industry, municipalities, and regional health units have agreed to join the CAC to provide direction and advice [to the Task Force on the development of an Action Plan to address air quality issues in the SWGTA.]" Mississauga News article (Jan. 12, 2010): "Air task force a collaborative effort". Excerpt: "The head of a task force set up by Queen’s Park to address pollution in the Clarkson airshed promises the community will have meaningful input in the process. ... That’s because one of [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ’s first tasks is the creating of a Community Advisory Committee to assist him and provide direction to his work. The 15 members, drawn from local ratepayers’ associations, industries, and local and regional municipalities, are expected to be announced next week." CORRECTION: Mississauga News letter to the editor, per MIRANET (Feb. 18, 2010): Not quite right. Excerpt: "The Jan. 12 article concerning the Air Quality Task Force (AQTF) contains a slight ambiguity. ... 'In terms of the process, we want the meetings to be public and the community to be aware of what’s at stake and what direction (the task force) is taking.' ... In the print edition, a secondary headline reads: 'Residents want open meetings.' The implication is that the meetings are currently closed, giving a negative connotation. MIRANET will report to the community through the website and provide links to AQTF website." November 30, 2009: All four members of the MIRANET Clean Air Subcommittee met with This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , the one-person Task Force, and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , the MOE Project Director. Dr. Balsillie confirmed that the Clarkson-Oakville Airshed is the focus of the Task Force mandate. MIRANET emphasized the need for accountability, in process and in outcomes, to the Airshed community. The following RA reps comprise the MIRANET Clean Air Subcommittee:
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, President - Sheridan Homelands RA (SHORA) NOTE: On July 10, 2009, the MIRANET Clean Air Subcommittee submitted a proposal (as requested) to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Director, Central Region, Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE), entitled: Reconstitution of the Clarkson Airshed Study Advisory Committee (CASAC). Many of the recommendations still pertain to the new Community Advisory Committee (CAC) which will assist the Task Force. Ontario Ministry of the Environment, News Release (Nov. 24, 2009): "Improving Air Quality In The Southwest Greater Toronto Area: McGuinty Government Sets Up Task Force Led By Dr. David Balsillie". Excerpt: " This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it will lead the development of a comprehensive action plan to reduce emissions from local industry, traffic, residences, and transboundary sources to improve air quality in the Southwest Greater Toronto Area (GTA). ... The one-person task force is part of the Ontario government's plan to reduce emissions and industrial energy use in the Southwest GTA. The task force plan will build on the Clarkson Airshed Study." Includes Backgrounder on Dr. David Balsillie. The Task Force is described in the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) News Release (Sept. 30, 2009): Clean Air Strategy and Replacement Power Supply for Southwest GTA November 9, 2009: The following communication was received by MIRANET from the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), concerning the status of the provincial Task Force to be established to improve air quality in the Clarkson-Oakville Airshed: "Until very recently I was seconded to another organization outside of the Ministry of the Environment (MOE). That arrangement has ended, and I have returned from it to MOE to take on the role of Project Director for the Task Force. In effect, I will be the link between MOE and the one-person Task Force, and I will be working closely with that person on moving the process forward which I expect will involve extensive stakeholder/community engagement. The one-person Task Force has not been appointed [which will take place via an Order-in-Council]. Although I cannot give you any indication of precise timing of the appointment, I share your interest in wanting to get on with the job at hand." -- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Project Director, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, SW GTA Air Quality Task Force Additional information is also available at the MOE's Clarkson Air website. NOTE: The OPA has published Southwest GTA Replacement Power Plant Backgrounder which provides more details about "Clean Air Measures" including the Holcim Task Force comprised of OPA, The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MEI) and Holcim (formerly St. Lawrence Cement). The recent Council resolutions from Mississauga, Halton, Oakville and Peel all address the issue of the Task Force. Mayor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it sent a Letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty on Oct. 15, 2009 along with the copy of the Mississauga Council Resolution: Oct. 14, 2009. Excerpt from the Mississauga Resolution: "The City of Mississauga calls upon the Government of the Province of Ontario, the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Minister of the Environment, to assure the residents of the City of Mississauga that the City will be provided with representation on the Provincial Task Force and that the Provincial Government will ensure that the necessary environmental, health and engineering experts are retained by the Province to provide the necessary expertise required by the Task Force to carry out its mandate of developing and presenting a comprehensive action plan for improving air quality in the southwest GTA;" September 30, 2009: The formation of the Task Force has been announced by the Ontario government in conjunction with the selection of the TransCanada proposal: Oakville Generating Station (OGS), to be sited in the Clarkson-Oakville Airshed. TransCanada was awarded the OPA contract to build and operate a 900MW gas-fired power plant. Press release: September 29, 2009: An Ontario Order in Council created the provincial Task Force with the mandate of developing an action plan to improve the air quality in the Clarkson-Oakville Airshed. For previous items see MIRANET article: |
