Residents Advocate Against Hydropower Dams on Petawawa River
Local residents are urging Petawawa council to amend its Official Plan to exclude hydropower developments. This follows recent provincial directives for new hydro projects, raising concerns over environmental and safety impacts.

Residents Alan Hepburn and Byron Ostrom are requesting the Petawawa council to modify its Official Plan to prohibit hydropower projects. This initiative comes in light of Ontario's Minister of Energy and Mines directing the Independent Electricity System Operator to secure 200-250 MW from new hydro projects.
They highlight the adverse effects of such projects, including safety risks due to flow fluctuations and potential harm to local tourism activities. Hepburn and Ostrom advocate for amendments to ensure that hydropower is excluded from future renewable energy considerations, citing a precedent of opposition from the Black Bay Ratepayers Association against a similar proposal in 2010-11. Without these changes, they warn of negative impacts on the river's ecological health and community recreational use.




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