Editor,
In regards to Jim Hepple’s thoughtful and well reasoned critique in the letters on January 9, of the proposed pumped energy storage proposal for the Meaford Tank Range, the author makes some valid points. Indeed Pumped energy storage is a tried and proven technology, but is it appropriate for the Niagara Escarpment.
He seems to have overlooked the cost of the project, which I last heard was approaching $7 billion, which we, the tax payers will have to bear, (with interest), for decades to come, for the benefit of TCE, and their shareholders. I’m certain that TCE is not proposing this undertaking for altruistic reasons.
Should we not look at alternate storage technologies which would have less of a devastating impact on a very sensitive eco system. Huge quantities of over burden, and limestone, (I’m told at least 20+million cubic meters of excavate), will have to be removed, and trucked off site on 2 lane roads, to create the storage reservoir on roads that are already extremely congested. Can we endure at least 8 years of noise, and disruption. Do we have an accounting of the greenhouse gas emissions this undertaking would produce.
The author of the letter, known to be an avid yachtsman, should be aware that this project could damage our beloved bay, with increased turbidity, and the disruption of a fragile eco-system.
As we enter the era of the electrification of our transportation systems, where many will have battery storage in their cars, which will draw off, and store much of the under utilized electricity over night. Should we look at other storage technologies that return more than the 70% of the energy they consume. I question Mr Hepple’s assertion that this project would provide “clean generation of electricity”. I’m sure he realizes That it doesn’t produce electricity, but stores, and returns 70% of what was generated.
It would be a tragedy if during the construction cycle, to blast a very expensive hole on the Niagara Escarpment, only to learn that newer and less invasive storage technologies have rendered this costly boondoggle obsolete.
Erwin Embacher, Thornbury
