Photo by B. Shakyaver
A proposed energy project in the Municipality of Bluewater is raising serious concerns among some residents who say they want more answers before the project moves forward.
Bedrock Energy Corp. and Capstone Infrastructure Corporation are proposing a large compressed air energy facility in the area.
Richelle Maize Van Wonderen is one of the residents speaking out against the project. She says residents in the area first learned about the proposal a few years ago.
The project appeared to go quiet at the time, until just a few days ago, when residents learned it was back on the table.
One of her biggest concerns is not whether the project is good or bad, but whether residents have had enough time and information to understand what is being proposed.
She says there are also questions about what happens decades from now, including the cost and impact of construction, decommissioning and what could happen if the project does not operate as expected.
The proposal includes a planned 52-inch pipeline running from Mill Road, south along Goshen Line and across Goshen near Centennial Road.
Van Wonderen says the pipeline is just one part of a much larger project, which would also include industrial infrastructure and underground caverns used to store compressed air and generate electricity.
She says residents want more information about possible effects on local wildlife, including birds and bats, as well as the water table and other environmental concerns.
Van Wonderen says residents are worried about what it could mean for their homes and community, especially with so many questions still unanswered.
While some residents may see the potential tax revenue and economic benefits as a positive, Van Wonderen says people also need to consider what it means for the residents who will live closest to the project.
She says residents should not have to choose between economic development and having a voice in what happens in their own community. She urged council to make the right decision.
Van Wonderen says the community needs time, transparency and answers.
She believes every person who calls Bluewater home deserves the opportunity to understand what is being proposed, ask questions and know what the possible long-term effects could be before council makes a decision.
Van Wonderen says she does not believe residents should be expected to make that decision without first having all the information they need. There will be a Special Meeting of Council on Thursday, August 13th at 7:30 in Council Chambers to discuss the project.
