Author: Laurie Watt
Barrie wants Ontario to declare a moratorium on the construction of ethanol factories, until the province issues a statement on favoured factory locations.
Without a word of discussion Monday night, Barrie councillors approved an item for discussion requesting provincial policy direction on the production of alternative fuels, including ethanol, with a view to examining the impact of air and noise.
Just two weeks ago, Northern Ethanol continued updating its Certificate of Approval application for the old Molson property adjacent to Highway 400. The company has obtained an updated noise study and the city has received permission to have it peer-reviewed.
“The issue of alternative fuel manufacturing, namely ethanol, is a provincially-led initiative, and as such could lead to an increase in these types of facilities within the province. As there are currently no specific guidelines, provisions or policies from the province to identify what would be a suitable location for these types of facilities, this resolution in my view is a proactive, forward-thinking request to have the province provide guidance to municipalities, manufacturers and the public on what is a suitable location for these types of facilities,” said Ward 7 Coun. John Brassard, who proposed the item.
“There are two choices really for the province to consider: are these types of facilities best suited in either a rural or urban setting?”
Northern Ethanol turned to the Ontario Municipal Board last month for assistance, because of delays in obtaining site plan approval; a hearing date has not yet been set. CEO Gord Laschinger told council last month that already 120 days had passed since his company made its site plan application to the city – and the Planning Act sets a 30-day guideline.
Despite the OMB referral, council asked planning department staff to examine the merits of an interim control bylaw and whether distilling corn into ethanol, a fuel additive, is appropriate within the city.
A citizens’ group, Citizens Against Refining Ethanol (CARE) in Barrie, has been arguing the old Molson site is not appropriate for an ethanol plant, because it is close to several schools and many homes and adjacent to the highway. Expected to produce 408 million litres of the additive each year, the plant is also expected to emit as much as 418 tonnes of air emissions each year, including some deemed to be carcinogens.
Early this summer, city council asked Northern Ethanol to take the city’s logo off its sign, and the company complied.
Northern Ethanol has argued the site in Barrie, zoned industrial, is appropriate, because it is close to the major transportation links within the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the major market for ethanol, as well as within an hour’s travel of an oil refinery in the Toronto area.
Brassard added Barrie’s request for provincial policy direction could have provincewide impact.
“The Planning Act does allow for policy statements to be issued by ministers on matters of municipal planning that are of provincial interest,” he said.
“By requesting that a provincial policy statement be developed, I believe that council is showing the kind of leadership that will assist municipalities within the province who are either facing or may be facing the prospect of alternative fuel manufacturing facilities being built within their communities.”
Natalie Horrell, Northern Ethanol’s director of corporate relations, said the company is confident it will receive provincial approval.
“We have brought together a solid team of employees and consultants. They are recognized as some of the most highly respected environmental experts and engineers in their field,” she said.
Northern Ethanol expects approval will come with some conditions imposed, conditions the company feels will address the concerns of residents and the city.
“We will continue to work with the City of Barrie on our Site Plan application in hopes that we can come to a mutual resolution and avoid a very costly OMB hearing," said Horrell.