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Minister Thibeault visits Cochrane to discuss biomass plant closure

Independent Energy System Operator decided not to renew Cochrane Power’s contract for producing energy for the province
Mayor and Minister

NEWS RELEASE

TOWN OF COCHRANE

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COCHRANE – Minister of Energy, Glen Thibeault, visited Cochrane this morning to meet with the town to discuss the circumstances around a local biomass plant that never received a contract renewal last summer.

The Independent Energy System Operator (IESO) decided not to renew Cochrane Power’s contract for producing energy for the province.

This has resulted in the loss of 30 jobs directly, risking 500 more, the town losing $3/4 Million in water revenues used to keep water infrastructure up to date and safe, while seeing 175,000 tons per year of biomass become wood waste requiring 1,300 percent more landfill space.

The Town had been trying to secure a high level meeting since the issue arose in 2014, but hadn’t been successful. Current Minister of Energy, Glen Thibeault, spoke with Cochrane Mayor Peter Politis at the recent Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference and agreed immediately that it was time to hold a meeting, at the Mayor’s request.

After today’s meeting Mayor Politis had this to say:

“The meeting was extremely cordial and collaborative. While I’m not surprised, as this is what I have come to expect from Minister Thibeault, as a town who has been trying desperately to engage a willing partner at the provincial government on this issue for two years, we’re grateful. The Minister listened intently to the issues and the entire table engaged openly in seeking the best outcome for everyone involved. The courtesy of being engaged as collaborative governments working together to build outcomes that make the most sense and have the best impact on the population at large, is all we’ve ever asked for. I feel hopeful that we may finally be on that path.”

When asked what the issues were, Mayor Politis said, “There are several, but the issue at large is best summed up by constructively asking, why is the province seeking to pay for new biomass plants when an existing modern plant, completely bought and paid for, that produces responsible green energy at less than the cost of what the province is currently paying or planning to pay, already exists right here and is simply idling? The key can literally be turned tomorrow and the province would be receiving 25% of the 50 MW of biomass they are seeking from new investment through their Long Term Renewable Procurement Program (LRP).”

The meeting included JP Ouellette the CAO of the Town of Cochrane, Councillors Claude Bourassa and Jane Skidmore-Fox, the Minister’s staff and Minister Glen Thibeault himself.

The Minister asked for some time to do an internal review and agreed to a follow-up meeting when he has completed that exercise.

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