Dear Editor:
RE: Centre Wellington fire department ‘comfortable’ with proposed battery energy storage facility, Dec. 28.
More thought needs to go into the Belwood battery facility. Why Centre Wellington? Why not Dufferin County? The lines from Bruce come through Dufferin to Mississauga, Toronto and Centre Wellington. Is Centre Wellington an easier place to get a project passed by council and the fire department?
With all due respect to Mr. Benn, I don’t think he is an engineer. Small volunteer fire departments don’t have the same expertise as a large full-time American fire department. Who says it takes four times the amount of water to put out a car battery fire?
This is not a car battery, but much larger. Why would you want to bring a project into Centre Wellington if people have to live in fear of having to shelter in place or evacuate? Where are you going to truck water in from in the winter?
Is the property going to have a water tower? A foam generator on site? Are the batteries going to be in cement vaults or in old sea containers?
What is the containment of the property in the event of an incident and the protection of the ground water? Do we have any feedback from Centre Wellington engineering? What happens if the project does not pan out or becomes insolvent? Who is responsible for the clean up?
This company had two fires in 2023 that we know of. These companies will tell you anything to get a foot in the door. Think twice about this one, people!
J. Alexander,
Fergus