MUSKOKA LAKES — A request for donations for a new co-operative hydroelectric project in Bala is irresponsible, according to one district councillor.
Muskoka Lakes mayoral candidate Jeff Mole brought a request for support for a new Bala Energy co-operative to district council on March 1. Mole said he has now left his position with Save the Bala Falls group and is now pursuing an energy co-operative for a hydroelectric project at the south Bala Falls.
Mole has long protested the Swift River Energy proposal to build a hydroelectric project at the north falls in Bala. District council voted in support of the use of district-owned lands for the project, which is currently going through an environmental screening process.
The idea of the co-operative and a website requesting donations from the public provoked a lengthy speech from Muskoka Lakes district councillor Mary Grady at Monday’s council meeting.
“Requesting donations on your site in support of a project knowing full well the location has the potential of endangering the public or property by flooding the lakes is neither right nor responsible,” said Grady.
Grady asked Mole to remove the website.
“I would like to request Mr. Mole remove the site from the Internet. It misleads the public. It is not a deliverable project in that location,” said Grady.
Mole’s website suggests the south falls option has the potential to generate 20 million kilowatt hours a year with a potential net income of $1 million.
Mole said members of the public are coming together to form the co-operative. They think the south channel is the best option for a hydroelectric project in Bala.
He asked council to withhold the release of district land for the Swift River proposal, pending an environmental screening of the south channel proposal by Bala Energy Co-operative.
On the Bala Energy Co-operative website the organization said it would consider payment of up to $1 million to Swift River to cover their costs. Amongst other conditions, Swift River must agree to suspend their application on or before March 15 and permit the Bala Energy Co-operative to commence an application, the website states. The sum would be paid to Swift River on or before commencement of production of the co-operative project, the website claims.
Grady asserted the south channel has long been ruled out for a hydroelectric project because of the potential flood risk.
“Not only is it (the south channel) not viable, but it is potentially dangerous. Mr. Mole has been told this repeatedly by hydrogeneration professionals and the MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources) as has district council,” said Grady.
The MNR must release a site for a hydroelectric project, she noted.
“The MNR made it very clear that no other proposal or water powered site release application will be accepted by the MNR for any Bala Falls application while Swift River is the applicant of record,” said Grady.
The applicant of record is not transferable, Grady indicated.
“We may or may not like the process set out by the province, but it is however the current process for all hydroelectric projects, not just Bala,” said Grady.
More information on the Bala Energy co-operative can be found at www.BalaEnergy.ca.
Mole said there would be a public meeting on May 23 at 10 a.m. at the Bala Community Centre for more information on the co-operative.
More information on the Swift River project can be found at www.balafalls.ca.