A Government of Canada agency has delivered its decision on the potential adverse effects of a proposed power plant at the former Lambton Generating Station (LGS) Site.
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) evaluated the Riverside Generating Station Project, a new natural gas power plant that would be located 16 kilometres south of Sarnia, in St. Clair Township.
The IAAC determined the potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through other means and further assessment was not required.
"To arrive at its section 16 decision under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), IAAC engaged other jurisdictions, federal experts, stakeholders, the public, and Indigenous Peoples to review the project description and identify potential impacts within federal jurisdiction and frameworks to address these potential impacts," IAAC said in a news release.
Information sessions were held last fall.
"IAAC is of the view that the potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through existing federal and provincial laws and regulations. This includes but is not limited to the Fisheries Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, the Species at Risk Act, the Canadian Navigable Waters Act, the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act, the Ontario Water Resources Act, the Ontario Environmental Protection Act, and the Ontario Heritage Act," it read.
IAAC said the review process took 59 days to complete.
"As a next step, the proponent will be required to seek any necessary provincial and federal authorizations and permits," IAAC said.
The 500 megawatt facility is proposed by Atura Power, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation (OPG).
The project, expected to be in operation for at least 20 years, would include a combustion turbine generator system, a 230-kilovolt overhead transmission connection, natural gas infrastructure, and water and wastewater infrastructure.
