Power production in St. Clair Twp. discussed
By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Might a new nuclear energy plant take shape in St. Clair Township, just north of Chatham-Kent?
It’s a possibility, as Ontario’s Ministry of Energy and Mines, and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) have announced $500,000 in “growth readiness” funding to St. Clair Township to explore the construction of a new generation source at the site of the former Lambton Generating Station.
In an announcement last week at the site near Courtright, Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce said the potential of both nuclear power and natural gas will be examined in order to bolster Canadian energy security and sovereignty in the face of the U.S.’s latest attack on the economy.
In statements made in a media release, Lecce said unprecedented economic attacks from President Donald Trump have led the government to double down on “made-in-Canada energy,” with an eye to create 150,000 tariff-proof jobs.
“While we face new U.S. tariffs, now is exactly the time to build with ambition, using Canadian energy built by Canadian workers, all while firing up the Canadian supply chain,” the minister said.
According to Lecce, the closure of the former coal-fired plant by the Liberal government in 2013 – located only 15 minutes from the northern border of Chatham-Kent – is an ideal location for electricity generation and will bring “much-needed jobs” back to the area.
Plus, he said, Ontario’s electricity needs are forecasted to increase as much as 90 per cent by 2050.
Chatham-Kent’s general manager of development services said a new power plant on the St. Clair River is good news for the region.
“Utilizing the former Lambton Generating Station site for new generation makes a lot of sense, given the legacy of the site,” Bruce McAllister said in an email message. “It is a 1,200-acre site that is strategically located with access to transmission infrastructure, railway and port access.
“From an economic development standpoint, new investment in energy generation at the Lambton site would deliver significant benefits, not only to St. Clair Township, but to the surrounding region as well, including Chatham-Kent,” he said. “The St. Clair transmission line project, announced last year, which is currently being built from the Lambton site to the Chatham switching station, is another important component. It will be interesting to see what the next steps are and what will ultimately be decided for new electricity generation at the site.”
Ontario is spending close to $500 million to build the 64-kilometre St. Clair Transmission Line.
Chatham-Kent–Leamington MPP Trevor Jones, who also serves as Ontario’s Agriculture Minister, said Ontario’s agri-food sector depends on reliable power.
“By advancing opportunities for new electricity generation in the face of trade disruptions and global uncertainty, our government is creating the conditions for the agri-food sector to grow, create jobs and ensure our communities can continue to count on food grown and made right here at home,” Jones said in a media statement.
The recent announcement paves the way for St. Clair Township and OPG to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and advance work on the property which is already zoned for up to 900 megawatts of new power generation – enough to power 900,000 additional homes.
The province has promised to include surrounding communities, including First Nation bands, in the exploration.
