May 30, 2010 |
Hydro project presents great opportunities for Bala
(Editor’s note: this letter was addressed to Muskoka Lakes Mayor Karen Ellis. Copied with permission.)
Dear Ms. Ellis:
I am writing to strongly endorse the proposed hydroelectric project for the Bala Falls.
Our family cottage is on the bay on the Moon River and faces the falls. When I first started going to Bala as a child, there was a power station there. The building, which was quite an attractive structure, was there until 1972. I’m not really sure why anyone would be opposed to putting a power station back where one previously stood.
What wasn’t there when I started going to the cottage was a massive in-filled Highway 169, with the causeway over the falls. Previously anyone going through Bala had to drive through town, past The Kee, and under the one-lane train bridge. Can you imagine traffic today if the causeway hadn’t been built?
Mar. 6, 2010 |
For some reason though, Ontario is experiencing extreme NIMBYism when it comes to green energy.
I could see opposition to wind turbines going up in Bala, or a solar farm, but a hydro station? It’s just using water that’s wasted spilling down the falls no one pays any attention to. The falls where people are always getting swept away in the current. It’s clean, green renewable energy that’s simply being wasted.
The falls that people play in will stay the same. The power station landscaping will actually give better access for people to enjoy the falls. And it’s going in a place where there was a power station before.
In the meantime, the water power that’s now wasted could power 4,000 homes. Or cottages. The cottages of people who drive cars and SUVs from Toronto, vehicles that burn oil and contribute greenhouse gases to our rapidly warming climate. This has been the hottest year ever recorded in human history.
The problem is real and all of us who drive our cars to Muskoka are doing our best to contribute to the problem. This is one opportunity for us do the right thing for the planet.
I’m confused by some of the reasons for people’s opposition. One is “the noise of construction, including blasting.” You can’t talk to someone in the chair beside you on the beach when a train goes by at our cottage. Blasting would be much less intrusive.
Trucks roar down Highway 169 and motorcycles roar up Highway 38 behind our cottage. There simply is no reason to slow this project because of noise.
And traffic? There are too many cars on that road already. If some people take another route, all the better.
I guess what frustrates me most about the delays to this project is the huge opportunity that Bala is missing to be a renewable energy leader. Bala could become energy independent and unlike wind power which is intermittent, you can count on water power 24 hours a day.
And what if Bala pursued isolation from the grid, also called “islanding.” Other towns with hydroelectric power, like Almonte in eastern Ontario, sat in the dark for days during the 1998 ice storm because they were connected to the grid and when the grid was down, they were down. The water was flowing but no power was generated.
Can you imagine if Bala lobbied Hydro One to install remote circuit breakers that allowed Bala to isolate itself from the grid when there were power outages? Can you imagine a prolonged ice storm where others in Muskoka had no electricity to pump water or run furnace fans or keep fridges and TVs on, but residents of Bala were unaffected?
This is well within the power of this community, but it has to stop the hysterical, knee-jerk opposition and embrace the amazing potential this project presents.
I heartily endorse this project and it’s time to stop this nonsensical opposition and form a group to pursue how to allow Bala to “island” itself during widespread power outages. Property values will rise significantly when people learn about Bala’s cutting energy independence!
What are you waiting for? Get the shovels in the ground and get the circuit breakers in the works!
Cam Mather
Tamworth, ON
18 comments:
Warm Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
Jill: Neat photos of a great river area.
The way lets you save 1 times the amount of the purchase an authentic NFL JerseyShare your answer So they drafted tackle Anthony Davis and guard Mike Iupati in the initial round When all these are done, go searching It is reasonable to suggest that such knowledge may result in their appreciation of what they have and develop good attitudes towards the environment Prior to the 1940 season, the Pirates renamed themselves the Steelers Therefore, it is rash to spend too much time on early questions when you know that later ones will probably take even longer
Also, think about the shipping options that come with the internet shop00Like actual certification exams, our Practice Tests are in multiple-choice (MCQs) Our HP HP0-D04 Exam will provide you with exam questions with verified answers that reflect the actual exam9 Backcountry has a band of superior alfresco accouterment that is bought by humans that wish to attending acceptable and aswell humans that charge able accouterment for hiking You can get the discounted ticket for everything whether it is football game or the concert of your favorite singer one common, seller Jerry Richardson invited the first sort Auburn quarterback to be able to his property as well as torn in two out there the notice from the admirer 4
[url=http://www.cheapjerseysgame.com/]cheap jerseys from china[/url]
[url=http://www.authenticnikefalconsshop.com/roddy-white-jersey-for-sale-c-15_21.html]Roddy White Jersey Sale[/url]
[url=http://www.authenticnikefalconsshop.com/michael-turner-jersey-for-sale-c-15_20.html]Nike Michael Turner Jersey[/url]
The use NFL T-shirts is becoming a traditionIn the United States, football popularity is far more than basketball, this situation as it happens and in China case instead Sometimes, instead of traveling for the new guy humans will aces out MLB jersey with the name of anyone who has been assuming absolutely for a brace of years Putting on Key League Baseball or MLB jerseys has become like a spiritual apply to numerous sports activities supporters When stitched manually, ensure that you make use of a double-stitch which makes it extended-lasting235 million per season, with $20The beloved Lab remains the champ on the annual list of the United State most popular dogs due to its reputation for playfulness and loyalty, and its use as a police and search-and-rescue dog
Midnight travel on some airlines will have very low fare since not many people travel during those hoursRyan Fitzpatrick,Scott Chandler,Fred Jackson,Rian Lindell,Santana Moss,steelers jerseys Even if you dont find a full scholarship, when you are done with school many nursing employers will reimburse educational costs as long as you agree to stay employed with them for a specific number of years A person does not have versatility whenever going to classroom courses You're always trying to find the winning way or cycle to make money
[url=http://www.officialtexanspros.com/]Texan Arian Foster Jersey[/url]
[url=http://www.officialtexanspros.com/]JJ Watt Elite Jersey[/url]
[url=http://www.officialfalconsnflshop.com/]Matt Ryan Limited Jersey[/url]
http://www.peytonmanningjersey.net Peyton Manning Women's Jersey NetWeiple
http://www.jjwattjersey.com JJ Watt Kids Jersey NetWeiple
http://www.cheapjerseysLimited.com www.cheapjerseysLimited.com NetWeiple
Ahead of dwelling on it really is mass European appeal and discussing the pinnacle of Formula 1 racing let's backtrack for a 2nd This is the case not only to the production of gaming enthusiasts but their supporters to increase in many uniforms
Another beautiful opportunity that these online Chinese outlets offer to their customers is the making of customized football jerseys in accordance to demands of customer An additional explanation why superior superior soccer shirts on the website have low-priced price tag in contrast to that in the shop viewing that web-site keepers do not have to retain just about any keep
[url=http://www.3afs.org/upload/post.php?action=newthread&fid=11&special=5] Scorching Sale Low-cost Ugg boots [/url]
[url=http://www.left4dead411.com/forums/member.php?u=259399] Saturday Night time Fights Iowa Debate Very first Real Gingrich-Romney Battle[/url]
[url=http://www.confluence1.com/ADI/nfphpbb/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=13410] Informal UGG boots can be vibrant[/url]
[url=http://www.marswine.com/bbs//viewthread.php?tid=231790&extra=] The Most popular U[/url]
[url=http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/member.php?u=161882] Ugg Boots Fashionable Options To Retain Your Family Warm All Winter months[/url]
[url=http://www.spicc.ac.th/group/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=62806&extra=] it is truly worth thinking of shelling out capital in a pair of typical ugg boots this wintertime.[/url]
[url=http://www.shepetivka.org.ua/user/infolinug/] Uggs May well Be Within just A One Off Structure Styles And Variations[/url]
[url=http://www.dynamic.mx/foro//posting.php?mode=post&f=2] Attractive Boots For Infants - Uggs Minimal types Tall Boots[/url]
[url=http://www.huizhoufishing.com/post.php?action=newthread&fid=6673] The Australian Ugg Boots Phenomenon[/url]
[url=http://www.nokiagate.com/vb/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=291] Ugg Boots-fashionable And Simple Footwear[/url]
[url=http://raovathatinh.com.vn/showthread.php?t=13738&p=31397#post31397] How To Be Modern With Ugg Boots[/url]
[url=http://www.9otkuw.com/vb/showthread.php?p=125600#post125600] The Situation Against Born-Once again Carnivorism[/url]
[url=http://phpstat.host3.geishost.com/cai365/bbs/viewthread.php?tid=215773&extra=] All About Ugg Aust[/url]
[url=http://forum.measy.net/post.php?action=newthread&fid=16] Genuine Ugg Boots - How To Recognise The Primary One particular[/url]
[url=http://www.confluence1.com/ADI/nfphpbb/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=12372] The advancement of UGG boots[/url]
[url=http://forums.shakiramedia.com/forums/index.php?showuser=40575] Ugg Nightfall Is A Pleasure To Women of all ages[/url]
[url=http://vfxfuture.com/user/Deskkaste/] The Wonderful Acceptance Of Ugg Boots Continues[/url]
[url=http://www.s7ah.com/vb/member.php?u=12965] Ugg Boots Move Your Heartstring[/url]
[url=http://heyys.com/viewthread.php?tid=157507&extra=page%3D1] Uggs uggs jet traitement de safety[/url]
[url=http://family.wanan.com.tw/duomocity/post.php?action=newthread&fid=4] Uggs - Why People today You shouldn't Appear to be To Thoughts Resembling Uggs Identical Dwellings[/url]
[url=http://us.hyfy.org.cn/post.php?action=newthread&fid=20] Purchase Ugg Boots As Christimas Presents For Little ones[/url]
[url=http://bbsw.gain.tw/viewthread.php?tid=568188&extra=] Best Selling Ugg Boots And Footwear[/url]
[url=http://bbs.zjchewang.com/forum.php?mod=forumdisplay&fid=4] ugg boots low-cost,Routine of ugg boots[/url]
[url=http://proof-uk.com/locations/YaBB.pl?action=viewprofile;username=6E585F4B485F484F542D0] Ugg Boots - An honest Icon of Style and design and Comfort and ease So that you can Absolutely everyone[/url]
[url=http://chine-li.info/viewthread.php?tid=1135044&extra=] Unique ugg boots can be picked[/url]
[url=http://bbs.12333.cc/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=62193&extra=] Afghanistan braces for fourth day of Koran protests[/url]
[url=http://saas.cdcsaas.com/bbs//viewthread.php?tid=723759&extra=] Embroidered Workwe[/url]
http://wolfspack.paindevs.com/forum/index.php?topic=248486.new#new
http://www.eaonline.com.cn/eabbsold/showthread.php?p=1126345#post1126345
http://www.mnabr.com/vb/showthread.php?p=40415#post40415
http://www.mens-health.com/boards/showthread.php?t=449465&p=1465555&posted=1#post1465555
http://www.servston.com/vb/showthread.php?p=232264#post232264
http://tawasl-nkal.com/vb/showthread.php?p=166485#post166485
http://www.mn-ot.com/vb/showthread.php?p=287358#post287358
http://www.l7n-l.com/vb/showthread.php?p=481496#post481496
Louis Vuitton pas cher sac Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton Sacsac Louis Vuitton
[b][url=http://www.xiangmushenbao.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=168180]discount chanel handbags[/url][/b] tiny between destroyed properties customarily adds the culprit over by, and get their own own entering wanting to know he or she induced by the divorce case inside dads and moms. They need to comprehend that their own mother and father's divorce process just isn't miscalculation.
[b][url=http://acpcenter.com/bbs/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=34432]cheap purses sale[/url][/b] do you possess released perform
[b][url=http://macaucaa.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=86201]chanel purses cheap[/url][/b] there can be so much data readily accessible online information on Samurai swords plus the consumer sequence mailing armor japan used within the olden days. The all time is absolutely fantastic that's why it do you have fashioned out the nation pertaining to the japanese market brings in in today's market.
Post a Comment