Residents urge council not to support battery storage project

Blake Ellis/The Independent

“I am very upset that this has gotten this far,” said Jean St. Pierre, a neighbour of the proposed Inwood Energy Storage project. 

St. Pierre, who lives on Courtright Line, appeared before Enniskillen Township council on Nov. 3 wanting to go on the record with her concerns about the proposed battery storage facility. 

The lithium-ion battery storage system proposed on the edge of Inwood but in Enniskille could  have a capacity of up to 240 megawatts and will be connected to the Hydro One transmission line at the north of the property at 5930 Courtright Line. 

The facility, proposed by RES, will use 20 acres of agricultural land. If approval is given, construction will likely take a year between 2028 and 2030. 

Last year, RES proposed another project in Enniskillen which drew public concern. This attempt is no different.

“I don’t want this next to my farm, for myself or for any of my neighbours,” said St. Pierre.  “Would you want it out your back door on your farm? 

“We worked hard to establish a farm and to live there, not live in a city and not live in this.”

She suggested there is a lot of industrial land the battery storage facility could be established on, that it didn’t need to be on agricultural land. 

“It should not be here,” said St. Pierre who had concerns about safety, fire, noise, lights and the access route. She even suggested more than 20 acres will need be used due to the easement.   

St. Pierre is also concerned about the increased truck traffic this project might generated. 

“It is just asking for people to be killed,” she said, suggesting the transport truck traffic already on Courtright Line is heavy. 

The proposed access to the battery storage facility will be right at St. Pierre’s fence line. St. Pierre has concerns about what this project might do to the area’s environment. There is a creek nearby and the area is in a flood plain.

“I want you to think about it very carefully –  about what it means for the whole township,” said St. Pierre.  

A letter was also received from Cheryl and Jack Churcher on Forest Road, which echoed many of the concerns St. Pierre has about the project. Among them was safety, environmental and ethical concerns. The letter was on the agenda, but no one commented on the letter. 

“My husband was offered money to sign a document endorsing the project, which raises serious ethical concerns about how public support is being represented,” said Cheryl Churcher. “This kind of pressure undermines public trust and transparency in the decision making process.”

The Churcher’s also pointed to fires, toxic emissions and long-term environmental damage, which have occurred at other similar facilities, which could threaten agricultural land. Increased traffic, noise and disruptions were other concerns. 

“For the safety of our residents, the protection of our farmland and the preservation of the community integrity, we respectfully ask the township council to oppose this project and prioritize the long term well being of Enniskillen Township,” stated Churchers letter.  

An open house was held at the Oil Spring’s Youth Centre on Nov. 4. RES, the company behind this project hopes to have a decision from Enniskillen Township council by Dec. 1 on whether it supports the project. The company needs the municipality’s support to move forward.