Sarah Williams
For the Beaver
Council received Colucci’s deputation and directed staff to return with a report on municipal approval for BESS facilities on Nov. 14.
While Colucci hoped to gain council’s support for EFD’s Bess proposal, resident Gavin Cross made a deputation illustrating some of the dangerous pitfalls associated with these systems.
“There have been 167 BESS failures around the world since they became a thing. They’re quite a dangerous system. BESS storage event failures are serious,” Cross noted. “They also have the potential to seriously harm people, property and the environment.”
Furthermore, Cross argued that, above all, BESS are part of a business plan and contribute little to limiting CO2 production.
“Ultimately, BESS within Canada-which has a reliable and safe energy production system- is not necessary. BESS is not an energy production method. They do not at all address CO2 production,” said Cross. “Those that are not incorporated into existing generating stations are solely a business venture using catchy words such as climate change as a misnomer. BESS will likely buy energy from Ontario Hydro or Ontario Power Generation during low times at a discount and then resell at a discount during peak times. This is a business. I do not have a problem with businesses, but I do not believe we need toxic businesses within Greater Napanee.”
Cross further commented that BESS have a known track record of failures.
In closing, Cross stated that he “questioned the validity” of the stated reason for needing BESS facilities.
“Saying it is needed due to Lennox and Addington closing in 2029 is horribly misleading as this currently operates at 1.5 per cent capacity,” Cross stated.
-In other news, Aaron Feeney returned to council with the results of a walking audit. Feeney previously spoke about his intentions to conduct the audit last month.
The walking audit took place Sept. 29 with 13 participants. Several areas throughout Napanee were explored by foot in order to assess the pedestrian infrastructure.
As per Feeney, the methodology used to assess the walking audit was from the American Association of Retired Persons walking audit toolkit.
“I chose this toolkit because it is a well-established organization that has completed thousands of walking audits,” Feeney explained. “It’s clear from the audit that pedestrian traffic has been given short shrift in Napanee. This should not be allowed to continue. Safe sidewalks and crosswalks are not luxuries, they’re basic necessities, which many of our neighbours rely on.”
The current state of pedestrian infrastructure, he added, signals to those who travel on foot that they’re less important than those behind the wheel.
Councillor Angela Hicks, who explored Napanee on foot with other audit participants, noted her experience was, at times, “terrifying”.
“I don’t consider myself elderly, but I can tell you walking on Centre Street was terrifying. It’s something we all need to take into consideration as new developments are built,” she said. “There’s a lot of neighbourhoods with children and no sidewalks.”
Overall, Hicks described the event as “enlightening” and encouraged fellow councillors to join her on another walking audit to gain a better understanding of pedestrian challenges around town.
Councillor Bill Martin also spoke to the audit, saying he did not agree with all the results.
“Thank you for your concern for the safety of Napanee residents. I think the audit is a good idea though I don’t necessarily agree with everything,” said Martin. “Do you not think some of the problem on Centre Street is driver habit?”
Feeney stressed that while some issues may appear to be caused by driver habit, infrastructure plays a large part in decision-making for those behind the wheel.
“When you’re on a street, you’re going to be subconsciously absorbing the signals it sends to you. When you’re on a wide street it will encourage you to speed up whereas a narrower street, or more irregular surface, will cause you to slow down,” he said.
Feeney added that while there are many possible solutions, one to consider for Centre Street may be the inclusion of a protective island.