Council postpones decision on battery energy storage system

ELORA – Centre Wellington council has postponed until May 26 further discussion on the battery energy storage system (BESS) proposed by Aypa Power outside Fergus.

The matter was to be discussed on May 12 and a staff report recommending approval of the proposal was on the agenda.

As council voted to approve the agenda, councillor Jennifer Adams noted the mayor had received a letter from Minister of Energy Stephen Lecce late on Friday, which he forwarded to councillors on Saturday.

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Adams argued the letter should be part of the public record and the public should have the opportunity to become aware of its contents before council reaches a decision on the proposal.

Mayor Shawn Watters confirmed he received the letter on May 9, in which Lecce comments on the BESS.

“At the end of the day, we want all the information to make a good decision,” Watters said.

“This is a very important letter,” councillor Lisa MacDonald said. “And it’s important for the public to hear it.”

Council voted to defer.

Two delegates, Cindy Lindsay and Justin Bailey, had been scheduled to speak to the proposal.

But with the item off the agenda, the delegates will have to wait until May 26 to make their presentations.