BROCKTON – Brockton council decided during the Nov. 14 meeting to defer the vote on whether to endorse Alectra’s proposed battery electrical storage system project.
Alectra is seeking Brockton’s endorsement before taking the proposal to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).
The reasons for deferring were:
– public opposition to the project (including the presentation of a 40-name petition against it on the grounds it would be removing agricultural land from production), as well as statements the public consultation was too rushed;
– Alectra’s request for another public meeting on Nov. 22, the nature – virtual or in-person – and location of which has yet to be determined; and
– to allow time for a county planning report.
Those who wish to attend the virtual public meeting must register on Alectra’s website: www.alectrasolutions.com/ieso-long-term-rfp-virtual-session-registration.
Minutes from the public information meeting will be uploaded to www.AlectraConvergentJV.com for reference by community members who are not able to attend.
Coun. Kym Hutcheon called for the vote to be deferred.
Other council members concurred. Coun. Tim Elphick said, “The residents have serious concerns.
Mayor Chris Peabody has his own concerns about the project, and commented, “It would be good to wait a bit” until the county planning department can come up with additional information and mapping.
Coun. Mitch Clark supported deferring the vote, saying, “The people felt rushed.” He noted the project would impact Cargill, and Brockton as a whole.
Clark added that he would prefer an in-person meeting.
The mayor commented on a letter from Debbie Schmitt that was included in the report on the project.
The letter noted that “the land is not represented correctly on the diagram (shown at the public meeting).” She further stated the drawing was “put in place at the time a solar panel farm and storage” was presented to her and another landowner. The contract signed was for solar panels, and has since switched to battery storage. She’s been in touch with the company proposing the project.
The Brockton council vote would occur at the next council meeting after the Nov. 22 public meeting, which would be on Nov. 28.
