Council Highlights from the May 3, 2021 meeting

Clarington supports OPG application to renew its licence for New Nuclear Plant

Clarington Council has voted to support Ontario Power Generation's (OPG) site preparation licence renewal application to obtain federal approval to prepare the site for the Darlington New Nuclear Plant. Mayor Foster and Clarington Staff will attend the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) licence renewal hearing in June to outline Clarington's support for the project. The proposed development includes the construction of up to four nuclear reactor units, supplying a maximum net electrical output of up to 4,800 Megawatts. Clarington reviewed and commented on the Environmental Impact Statement 10 years ago supporting the initial licence application. Since that time, many transportation improvements have been implemented between Courtice and Bowmanville along the Highway 401 corridor. OPG has notified the CNSC that they intend to apply for a licence to construct a grid-scale Small Module Reactor (SMR). SMRs represent the next wave of nuclear innovation and are critical in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting safe, clean, economic energy. Clarington has worked with a variety of provincial and regional partners to ensure that land use planning designation and setbacks around the station are appropriate.

Read Report PDS-025-21 for more details.

Clarington leases land to Lakeridge Health to allow for a temporary air ambulance heliport

Clarington is leasing land to Lakeridge Health for the development of a temporary air ambulance heliport. Clarington worked with Lakeridge Health to identify a temporary helipad location to accommodate emergency air transportation until the permanent rooftop helipad is completed as part of the Bowmanville Hospital redevelopment. The land identified for the temporary heliport is 1150 Haines Street in Bowmanville. As part of a mandatory Transport Canada consultation process, Lakeridge Health sought public input, and none was received. The Province will fund 80 per cent of the cost of developing the heliport, and the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation will cover the remainder. Once all approvals are granted, the development will start in July 2021, with an estimated October completion date. Lakeridge Health will be responsible for restoring the land to its original state once the heliport is no longer needed.

Read Report PDS-026-21 for more details.

Clarington refuses to accept Toronto waste for disposal at the Durham York Energy Centre

Clarington Council is refusing to accept City of Toronto waste for disposal at the Durham York Energy Centre located in Courtice. Toronto's Infrastructure and Environment Committee passed a recommendation seeking authority to negotiate sending waste from the City to Energy-from-Waste (EFW) facilities in Ontario.

Council has directed staff to notify the City of Toronto that its waste is not welcome in Clarington. Council is also asking Durham Region to notify the Province and Toronto that the City's waste is not welcome anywhere in Durham Region.

Currently, the Durham York Energy Centre (DYEC) Environmental Compliance Approval only allows waste disposal from Durham and York Regions.

To learn more, read Resolution #C-162-21.