An emergency generator for the Sportsplex in Fergus has gone from a dead issue to being only on life support – and possibly being completely resuscitated.
Council here in its committee of the whole heard May 28 there is a possible way to provide emergency power to the township?s designated emergency shelter and not force taxpayers to cover those costs.
At its May 14 meeting, council voted 4-2 against such a project, feeling it could not afford it. There would have been costs of $147,524, after a federal Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP) grant of just over $25,000.
This time, parks and recreation director Andy Goldie told council the township might have a different funding source for a generator.
Centre Wellington Hydro general manager Doug Sherwood explained the Demand Response program run by the province. It is designed to reduce the load in Ontario and the province can save if a kilowatt of power does not have to be generated.
He said there are strict Ministry of Environment guidelines for the program for noise and emissions, especially for non emergencies.
Sherwood said the plan was created by Ontario Power Generation as ?a way to get off coal.?
It pays $10,000 per 1,000kW, and that could mean payment to the township of $40,000 per year – if a demand event is called or not.
He said the challenge is it is more costly to install than the project that includes the JEPP grant, and the generator would be close to some residences.
He said the township would have to check restrictions and also look at other opportunities. Sherwood added the project could be funded through Centre Wellington Energy, the holding company the township recently created that holds funds from the cash from Centre Wellington Hydro.
Councillor Kirk McElwain wondered what happens if the province wants the power at the same time the township is using it.
Sherwood said putting in an appropriate generator means it could operate at any time. He said if the power is needed at the Sportsplex, ?that is a separate issue.?
Fire Chief Brad Patton said the township could refuse the request for power if it needs it.
Councillor Fred Morris cited the $40,000 standby fee, and asked what is the extra revenue when providing the OPA with hydro.
Sherwood said the $40,000 is paid whether needed or not, and there is also payment for fuel used. He said the expiry date for the program is 2014, but that is expected to be renewed for another five years.
McElwain asked if the township could still use the JEPP grant.
Goldie said staff would need more details about the program, and he can ask if the JEPP grant would be extended from the end of May. ?They may say no. Because we?re spending more money, they may say okay.?
McElwain asked if the proposed generator would cost twice as much as the original proposal. Goldie said it will.
Councillor Kelly Linton asked if the funding can come from the holding company.
Sherwood said it could be from those reserves. He said special projects was one reason that company was created.
Councillor Steve VanLeeuwen asked, ?What are you asking for today??
Goldie replied he wants to get a report and see if Demand Response is viable for the township.
Councillor Walt Visser said, ?I think there is a lot more investigating to be done.? He said that includes the total cost, the life cycle, and the ?iffy? 2014 program ending date.
He said it is ?a lot of dollars to jeopardize.?
Goldie agreed the township needs more information.
Visser said he heard no costs to investigate the program, and staff should bring the information back to council.
Council then voted to let staff investigate the proposal further and that carried.
