BFCC DROPS APPEAL

The BioFuel Citizens Committee in Elmira, after major effort, protests, public education and mediation have come to a tentative settlement with Bio-En . The BFCC had filed an appeal with the Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) which formerly was known as the Environmental Appeal Board (EAB) and certainly was no stranger to Elmira with Chemtura and Varnicolor Hearings in the past.

The original goal was to relocate the bio-energy plant away from the proposed location on Martin's Lane, in the north end of Elmira. This site did and still does have numerous issues attached to it including odours and noise for the nearby residential subdivision as well as increased diesel truck traffic through the downtown core and past neighbouring homes. Serious efforts towards an alternate location had been ongoing and underway when the Ontario Ministry of the Environment pulled the plug on those initiatives. I know of no reason to doubt the sincerity and intent of Mayor Cowan and Woolwich Township in their discussions, communications and negotiations with various provincial government ministries around the possibilty of relocating. Originally an alternate location in the Breslau area had been proposed and even since the M.O.E.'s Decision to accept Martin's Lane, another location north of Elmira had been in consideration.

Throughout all of this the numerous citizens involved have fought a battle at Council, on-line, in the newspapers and TV, via an appeal to the ERT, and as well outside Council Chambers with a public protest and in Bolender Park with a rally. Their efforts had to have given serious pause to the promoters of this proposed facility who in the beginning may have thought that opposition would be minimal, unorganized and ineffective at publicizing the drawbacks to this proposal. I can certainly say personally that prior to their public education and criticisms I had no idea of both the general problems associated with the Green Energy Act as well as the specific problems around Bio-Energy particularily when not focused strictly on very local raw material input and transport. Their efforts have opened my eyes to the fact that green energy is not a magic wand nor is it always practical, efficient and environmentally worthwhile.

Their Mediation efforts will make the company accountable for the contents of each and every truckload of material going into the plant. Their efforts will result in a Citizens Liason Committee which will be picked in conjunction with the local citizens who have put time, effort and money into protecting their community. Now it is up to the promoters of this project to come through from their end. All of Elmira will be watching and expecting Woolwich Bio-En to live up to their promises.