Battery energy storage facility approved in Centre Wellington
FERGUS – Centre Wellington is set to become the home of one of Canada's largest battery energy storage systems for 25 years.
Following
staff recommendations
at a Centre Wellington council meeting Monday afternoon, Centre Wellington council has approved a zoning bylaw amendment allowing Aypa Power LLC to construct a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility at 6235 Guelph St., roughly two kilometres south of Fergus.
It comes after several months of negotiations and deliberations.
The move still needs the approval of the County of Wellington.
A BESS is a facility of rechargeable batteries with a limited lifespan that can store energy from different sources or during off-peak hours and feed it back into the grid when electricity demand is highest.
Taking up approximately 4.6 hectares of the 43-hectare farm property, the facility is technically temporary since BESS lose storage capacity over time and the lands are planned to be decommissioned and restored in 2052.
Planned to generate up to 200 MW or 800 MWh of energy for the county, the facility is anticipated to create 200 to 300 jobs for three years starting this fall and six to eight full-time jobs during operation.
In their recommendations, staff said the BESS facility will help contribute to the province's energy supply goals and are confident the
concerns
raised can be adequately addressed to ensure compatibility and public safety through detailed design and the site plan.
Environmental matters would be addressed through a Class Environmental Assessment, which requires extensive studies.
'At the end of the day, we've got to make a decision based on what's good, not only for our community, but what's good for the greater community as well,' said Mayor Shawn Watters. 'And I think this will be an example of how that is done.'
Originally on the agenda for the last council meeting, councillors chose to defer the decision so the public could have a chance to see a letter from the Minister of Energy and Mines, Stephen Lecce, who wrote that projects like the Elora BESS project are critical to meeting the province and region's needs this decade.
'If the province cannot address the grid's capacity needs with battery energy storage systems, it will reduce the overall cleanliness of Ontario's electrical grid, while also increasing costs for electricity consumers,' said Lecce's letter.
In response to council's concerns about Aypa Power's close association with the American company, Blackstone Inc., Lecce said the project is exempt from new regulations that would restrict American businesses from accessing public sector procurements in Ontario.
Restating these concerns during the council meeting, Coun. Jennifer Adams was the sole councillor to oppose the application, saying she's received a lot of concern from area residents and believes the risks outweigh the benefits at this time.
'I believe it is essential that we, as a council, remain independent in our decision-making and not be swayed by corporate influence. We have urgent priorities and we must focus on those,' said Adams. 'There is also a real concern about the safety and environmental impacts of this relatively new technology, including risks like fire, noise and air pollution.'
Coun. Denis Craddock disagreed, saying there were safety concerns when the project was first proposed, but feels that the township and Aypa have gone above and beyond to make sure that this is a safe facility in the community.
'I don't think it's the ownership that matters, it's the investment that matters ... I don't think that clean energy should be political,' said Craddock.
Council also heard two delegations and received letters from residents sharing opposing views on the proposed facility, with some arguing it's important to participate in projects prioritizing green energy, while others shared several concerns about safety, health, the environment and property values.
Justin Bailey, said the proposed facility is located close to his home and he's alarmed at the potential risks a BESS facility poses to the safety and well-being of his young family and the surrounding community.
'This is not merely a 'not in my backyard' sentiment; it is a heartfelt plea from concerned parents who want to ensure that their children grow up in a safe and healthy environment,' said Bailey in a letter. 'We implore Aypa Power to reconsider this project's location and work collaboratively with local residents to identify a safer, more suitable site.'
On the other side of the coin, the BESS landowner, Cindy Lindsay, said the project is intended to be temporary and they've worked with Aypa to incorporate soil protection, site remediation and restoration and safety to ensure the land is returned to agricultural production when the lease is up so their family can continue farming the land.
'We feel this project reflects a balance between tradition and innovation, allowing farmers to thoughtfully choose how to use their land and at the same time embracing the changes necessary to build a more sustainable future and hopefully moving the needle and reaching the sustainable development goals,' said Lindsay.
Coun. Bronwynne Wilton declared a pecuniary interest and didn't participate in discussions.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Politico
41 minutes ago
- Politico
American presidents have long used autopens. Just ask Trump.
Donald Trump has repeatedly slammed Joe Biden's use of an autopen during his presidency, going so far as to center its usage in a broad investigation Trump announced Wednesday into his predecessor. But politicians on both sides of the aisle are deeply familiar with the tool. The autopen — also referred to as the robot pen — replicates an individual's signature using a writing utensil, rather than a scanned and printed version of it. The tool, which resembles a small printer with a long arm that allows users to attach a pen to the center, has a long history of use in American politics. The device was first patented in 1803, according to the Shapell Manuscript Foundation, an independent research organization that collects original manuscripts and historical documents. Iterations of the autopen have been used by presidents as far back as Thomas Jefferson, who wrote that 'I could not, now therefore, live without' the device he used to duplicate letters. 'The Autopen has long been a tool for the world's most influential leaders, allowing them to more effectively apply their time and attention to important issues without compromising the impact of personalized correspondence,' according to The Autopen Co., which sells the machines. U.S. leaders on both sides of the aisle have used the autopen for decades — and have faced criticism for their use of the tool. During Lyndon Johnson's administration, the autopen was featured in The National Enquirer for an article headlined 'One of the Best Kept Secrets in Washington: The Robot That Sits In For The President.' Even Trump himself has said he used autopens, but 'only for very unimportant papers.' 'We may use it, as an example, to send some young person a letter because it's nice,' Trump said in March, according to The Associated Press. 'You know, we get thousands and thousands of letters, letters of support for young people, from people that aren't feeling well, etcetera. But to sign pardons and all of the things that he signed with an autopen is disgraceful.' In 2004, George W. Bush's secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, faced criticism from some veterans for using an autopen to sign condolence letters to families of troops killed in the Iraq War. In 2011, Barack Obama used an autopen to sign a Patriot Act extension — becoming the first known, apparent use of the tool by a president for legislation — and used it subsequently in his administration. The move resulted in Republicans questioning the constitutionality of Obama's decision, though Bush's Office of Legal Counsel, which is part of the Department of Justice, had already concluded the use of autopens was constitutional. 'The President need not personally perform the physical act of affixing his signature to a bill he approves and decides to sign in order for the bill to become law,' the office's 2005 ruling stated. 'Rather, the President may sign a bill within the meaning of Article I, Section 7 by directing a subordinate to affix the President's signature to such a bill, for example by autopen.' There is no specific law governing a president's use of an autopen. But the ruling from the Department of Justice hasn't stopped Trump from accusing Biden and his team of illegally using the tool, alleging that Biden's team used an autopen to sign documents without Biden's permission or knowledge. Trump has also claimed that Biden's round of pardons — including 'preemptive pardons' of Jan. 6 investigators, his son Hunter Biden and Anthony Fauci — were illegal and are 'void' and 'vacant.' However, most legal scholars are in agreement that pardons cannot be overturned once granted. In 1869, a federal court ruled, 'The law undoubtedly is, that when a pardon is complete, there is no power to revoke it, any more than there is power to revoke any other completed act.' Biden has denied the claims that any decision was ever made or issued in his name without his approval or knowledge. Trump and other Republican accusers have provided no evidence that aides used an autopen without the former president's approval. 'Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency,' Biden told POLITICO in a statement. 'I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations. Any suggestion that I didn't is ridiculous and false. This is nothing more than a distraction by Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans who are working to push disastrous legislation that would cut essential programs like Medicaid and raise costs on American families, all to pay for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations.'
Axios
an hour ago
- Axios
Trump shrugs off possible reconciliation with Musk
President Trump said he assumes his relationship with Elon Musk has ended and that he has no desire to repair it after the pair publicly fell out last week. "I think it's a shame that he's so depressed and so heartbroken," Trump said of the billionaire in a phone call with NBC News' Kristen Welker. The big picture: Trump's comments also came with a warning to Musk when the president said the Tesla CEO could face "serious consequences" should he fund Democratic candidates in the next election running against Republicans who vote for Trump's "big, beautiful bill." The billionaire, who contributed more than $290 million to Republicans in the 2024 election but has since said he'd cut back on political spending, posted last week that politicians "who betrayed the American people" should be fired in November. Trump declined to elaborate on what the consequences would be for Musk. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said in a Sunday interview on ABC's "This Week" that it would be a "big mistake" for Musk to go after Republicans who vote for the bill. Driving the news: Trump said he has no plans to speak to the Tesla CEO during the Saturday phone interview with Welker. Asked if he thought his relationship with Musk was over, Trump said he "would assume so." He accused the once-close administration ally of being "disrespectful to the office of the President." Catch up quick: The alliance between Trump and the former chainsaw-wielding face of DOGE exploded last week as Musk continuously campaigned against the massive tax-and-spending package, blasting it as a "disgusting abomination." Speaking to reporters during an Oval Office appearance alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Thursday, Trump said he was "very disappointed" in Musk, who he claimed was very familiar with the inner workings of the legislation. While Trump talked, Musk fired back in real-time on X, claiming in one post that Trump would have lost the election without him. Zoom in: In one post that appears to have been deleted, Musk accused the president of being "in the Epstein files." Trump told NBC that it's "old news."
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
‘Recipe for disaster': Tony Robbins blasts US retirees for relying on Social Security — how to avoid the trap
Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Tony Robbins, the well-known motivational speaker, warns that the most popular approach to Social Security is also the most dangerous. On his blog, he says relying on the program as the foundation of your retirement plan is a 'recipe for disaster." Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has an important message for the next wave of American retirees — here's how he says you can best weather the US retirement crisis Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Here's why Robbins encourages people to look beyond this safety net and why a growing number of working-age Americans are already leaning towards alternative strategies. For most Americans over the age of 65, an average monthly Social Security benefit of $2,000 isn't enough. Data from the Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CE) program shows that retired households spend over double that every month. The program's sustainability is also in doubt, meaning future retirees could potentially see even lower benefits. Trust fund assets are expected to be depleted by 2033, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA), while the Trump administration's proposed tax cuts could deplete the funds in as little as six years, according to Marc Goldwein of The Committee for a Responsible Budget. In other words, Social Security might not be a solid foundation for your retirement plan. 'Time to get your head out of the sand and do some easy number crunching to find out where you are and where you need to be,' Robbins wrote in a blog post. Robbins goes on to encourage working-age Americans to create their own nest egg. Instead of relying on Social Security, it could be a good idea to start building out an independent retirement fund as soon as you can. Robbins recommends targeting savings of roughly 20 times your annual expenses. This can be coupled with the 4% withdrawal rule, which means you can safely use 4% of these assets after adjusting for inflation to meet your living expenses without depleting your funds over the long term. To reach that level of savings, it's important to start investing early and often. Read more: Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — The key to building a robust portfolio for the long run is spreading your wealth across different asset types. As you approach retirement, you'll often need to sell off assets to maintain your lifestyle. But if all of your investments are in a single stock, and that stock is down when you want to retire, what will you do? That's why diversification is key. The stock market has see-sawed during 2025 due to a combination of geopolitical uncertainty and shifting economic priorities, driven in part by U.S. tariff negotiations. This is one reason why considering inflation-resistant investments for your retirement, such as gold, may be worthwhile. This precious metal is typically more stable than stocks during economic downturns and recessions. In April 2025, gold breached the $3,000 per ounce benchmark. What's more, JP Morgan Chase predicts that gold could soar to $4,000 per ounce in 2026. To capitalize on gold's growth potential while also securing tax advantages, one option is opening a gold IRA with the help of Priority Gold. Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, thereby combining the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold against economic uncertainty. When you make a qualifying purchase with Priority Gold, you can receive up to $10,000 in free silver. According to a Deloitte survey, 89% of wealth managers believe art and collectibles should be a part of a wealth management offering. That could be a sign it's worth considering this physical asset as a part of your retirement strategy. This market has traditionally been the domain of the ultra-rich, but now you don't need to be an expert in art to take advantage of this asset class. Platforms like Masterworks simplify the process of art investing, allowing everyday investors to buy fractional shares of blue-chip artwork from iconic artists like Picasso, Basquiat and Banksy. Like blue-chip stocks, these are pieces of art that tend to only increase in value over time. This can make it easier to diversify your portfolio without the complexity and cost of managing art investments on your own. Through 23 exits so far, investors have realized representative annualized net returns like 17.6%, 17.8% and 21.5% among assets held for longer than one year. You can get VIP access and skip the waitlist here. See important Regulation A disclosures at Then there's real estate. For most people, this means purchasing a home, but there are now ways to invest without amassing a sizable down payment and taking on a mortgage. For instance, with Arrived, you can invest in rental homes and vacation rentals, curated and vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived makes it easy to fit these properties into your investment portfolio regardless of your income level. Their flexible investment amounts and simplified process allow investors to take advantage of this inflation-hedging asset class without any extra work on their part. For accredited investors, Homeshares gives access to the $34.9 trillion U.S. home equity market, which has historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors. With a minimum investment of $25,000, investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund — without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property. With risk-adjusted target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, this approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets. JPMorgan sees gold soaring to $6,000/ounce — use this 1 simple IRA trick to lock in those potential shiny gains (before it's too late) Are you rich enough to join the top 1%? Here's the net worth you need to rank among America's wealthiest — plus a few strategies to build that first-class portfolio You're probably already overpaying for this 1 'must-have' expense — and thanks to Trump's tariffs, your monthly bill could soar even higher. Here's how 2 minutes can protect your wallet right now Access to this $22.5 trillion asset class has traditionally been limited to elite investors — until now. Here's how to become the landlord of Walmart or Whole Foods without lifting a finger This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
