C4CA has released this statement prior to the house rising. C4CA is still pushing for Bill 8, or something better if 3rd reading of Bill 8 is unachievable.
We encourage you to call Flynn as we still want a buffer bill to improve air quality in South Western Ontario.
TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT – BILL 8 BUFFER ZONES ACT SET TO EXPIRE
Citizens for Clean Air Calls for Action in Ontario Legislature This Week
OAKVILLE, ON, May 31, 2011 /CNW/ – C4CA today called on the Ontario Government to hold Third Reading of Bill 8, The Separation Distances for Natural Gas Power Plants Act, 2010, this week. The Private Members Bill, which prohibits the construction of a natural gas power plant within 1,500 metres of land zoned residential or for a school, day nursery or health care facility, was introduced by Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn and passed second reading in April of 2010 with support from all parties.
“Safety risks related to natural gas fired power plants can be mitigated but never eliminated,” says C4CA Board Chair, Frank Clegg. “Accidents happen and can be catastrophic, as was the case last year in Middletown, CT when a natural gas power plant exploded killing six people and blowing out windows three kilometres away. The best way to ensure the community is protected is through buffer zones. Bill 8 will expire at the end of this week. We’re calling on all Parties to support Bill 8, see it through and get it passed before the end of the week.”
Adopting setback measures will:
- Provide certainty to communities and planners
- Address the safety and health concerns of Ontarians
- Be consistent with policies for other types of development (railways, landfills, highways, wind farms, etc.) that already have buffer zones in place
- Provide a predictable and fair process for power developers
In 2010 Citizens for Clean Air (C4CA) worked to prevent a 975-megawatt gas-fired power plant from being constructed right next to a family neighbourhood on the border of Oakville and Mississauga. At that time, Premier McGuinty said, “What we were trying to do was put the biggest gas plant in the history of the country into a location where our rules would not permit the construction of a single wind turbine.”
About Citizens for Clean Air (C4CA)
Citizens For Clean Air (C4CA) is a broad coalition of concerned citizens who are opposed to locating Power Plants unreasonably close to homes and schools. C4CA is a non partisan, non-profit organization that is also committed to improving air quality in South Western Ontario. For more information visit www.c4ca.org.