Pipeline
The Ontario Energy Board notes on page 10 of the decision...."After reviewing the Township’s motion, the submissions filed by the parties, the letters of comment and the Board’s own Rules, the Board finds that the following factors are relevant in its consideration of whether or not to grant leave:
1. the length of the delay
in (the Township)bringing the Motion for Review and the explanation for the
delay;
2. any
prejudice to Enbridge or YEC as a result of the delay;
3. whether the
circumstances underpinning the request justify the exercise of the Board’s
discretion to grant leave; and
4. whether the public interest requires it."
To read the full decision of the Board click on the link below:http://www.oeb.gov.on.ca/OEB/_Documents/Decisions/Dec_township_of_king_20110321.pdf
- The pipeline will be a 18 km high pressure gas pipeline; 16 inches diameter; 650 pounds per sq. in. pressure (psi)
- It is to be built along road King Township and York Region road allowances.
Map for proposed pipeline route click here
Why We opposed the proposed high pressure gas pipeline
- Inadequate Setbacks
The proposed route passes in front of at least 130 homes and the Kettleby Public School with minimum setbacks. Many homes will have a setback less than 30 meters. The proposed route is a scant 34 meters from the school bus loading zone of the Kettleby Public School on Lloydtown/Aurora Road. The proposed route on Dufferin Street is also about 400 meters from the Holland Marsh District Christian School property and the adjacent church.
In California, the Department of Education is mandating that new schools not be closer than 1,500 feet (500 meters) from what they term "high pressure" pipelines: 80 pounds per square inch (psi), a fraction of what is being suggested for King.
Based on historical pipeline accident data, a three mile radius is likely to experience physical damage resulting from fire or shock/blast waves should a gas explosion occur along the pipeline route or at the York Energy Centre. This "danger zone" spans Pottageville, upper King Township, Aurora/Newmarket, East Gwillimbury and Holland Landing.
The gas pipeline feeding the York Energy Centre is twice the pressure of the pipeline responsible for the San Bruno, California explosion in September, 2010 where eight people died and 37 homes were destroyed.
- Alternate routes
There are alternatives. When Enbridge started the exercise to determine route they showed numerous options. Click here. We believe that cost and enviromental impact were given more priority than human safety.
- There is no justification for creating this risky proposition: the generator is not fulfilling a genuine need. (See Top 10 reasons for opposing YEC on the generator page or click here)
- A fundamental error has been made: this pipeline is being assessed as a distribution pipeline (because of its physical size i.e. 16 inches); whereas it should be considered to be a transmission pipeline because it will carry 650 psi.
The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) issued a decision on March 21st granting Enbridge permission to construct the pipeline to service the York Energy Centre.
In October 2010 OEB initiated a new hearing (EB-2010-0310) to respond to Enbridge's request that the condition on construction start be modified such that the new deadline for such be extended one year to end of 2011. King Township has applied to be an intervenor and has been accepted. Intervenors previously registered continue to have their status.
In their notice for the new hearing OEB has been very clear that the topic of discussion is very narrow: only the change in deadline for construction start.
To see evidence presented by proponent, intervenors etc. visit:
http://www.rds.oeb.gov.on.ca/webdrawer/webdrawer.dll/webdrawer/search/rec&sm_udf10=eb-2010-0310&sortd1=rs_dateregistered&rows=200
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