Latest / North Shore News / December 18th, 2024

Transcript

December 18th, 2024 · North Shore News

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Welcome to North Shore News and Interviews on Amherst Island Radio.
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Each week we keep you updated on newsworthy events, happenings, and conversations that
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we've had with people in the local community and beyond.
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Public Energy Incorporated is looking at converting the old Kingston Generation Plan in Loyalist
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Township into North America's first hydrogen-peaking plant.
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This type of plant produces hydrogen at night when energy costs are cheaper and stores it
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to be sold when it's needed.
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The company presented council with plans at their year-end meeting and spoke about the
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benefits of hydrogen.
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The retired plant is located on Taylor Kid Boulevard and has access to Lake Ontario.
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The plan would include an investment of $400 million into Loyalist Township and nearly
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130 new jobs brought to the area.
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President of Public Energy Inc. John Douglas explains the conversion process and their
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willingness to rename the facility.
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We started looking for a retired gas project that had an interconnection that we could
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use and basically replace those gas turbines with new 100% hydrogen turbines, which is
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what we're proposing to do for the Kingston power plant.
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We're quite happy to let whoever rename that facility, whether it's Loyalist Generating
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Station or Loyalist Hydrogen Station.
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Douglas spoke about the jobs it could create in the area and noted the interest they've
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had from large companies.
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The thing to keep in mind is we're talking about a $400 million project that will generate
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100 construction jobs, probably 15 to 20 great operational jobs for the 30-year life.
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And this will be the first such hydrogen peaker plant in North America.
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So we have both GE and Siemens that are pretty keen to be the first.
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Douglas notes the unique opportunity Ontario provides.
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A common way to make hydrogen is through a chemical process using an electrolyzer.
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So electrolyzers have been around for a long time.
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There's nothing new there.
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But Ontario offers a unique opportunity for this because of course at night our energy,
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our electricity is pretty cheap.
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So we're proposing to make hydrogen at night with cheap electricity like for a penny a
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kilowatt and storing that hydrogen on site to burn in a turbine to make electricity when
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it's required.
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Douglas spoke about the support they've received and the steps they'll need to take going forward.
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We've spent the past year talking to the Ministry of Energy.
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We first started with Minister Smith, but now of course we have Minister Leche and his
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assistant deputy, Minister Oosterhof.
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So they're very familiar with this project.
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They really like it.
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So does the Premier.
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So we have lots of political support.
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But I think as we've learned from the LT1 exercise, municipal support is critical now.
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There's all kinds of new regulations from an agricultural perspective on renewable energy
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brought in by not just the provincial government but by the federal government.
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So there's lots of check marks that need to be acquired for a project like this.
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Douglas details the history of how he and co-founder Dr. Dennis Stein came up with
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the plan.
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Dennis and I go back a fair ways.
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So when he came to Canada, we started working together on sort of what's going to be the
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next big thing.
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And so we decided that distributed generation will be part of the future.
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Dennis advised the German government on their energy transition and people were just starting
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to talk about that back then.
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And so we started Public Energy.
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It's based in Toronto.
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We're an independent power producer.
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We own and operate power plants in Ontario and currently we operate seven power plants
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for industrial customers.
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Stein talks about the benefits of hydrogen.
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It's probably the first molecule that was created in the universe because it's the simplest
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molecule and it has the highest energy density of everything that we know in our nature.
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So it's a great energy storage device.
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But using electricity as an energy form that can be transferred from, as we said, from
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the great at night to the hydrogen and back into the electricity is actually from the
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physical perspective excellent way to advance the power systems in this province.
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It's really about providing a service that's carbon free, that's sustainable and that's
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superior to a battery service, I would say, in that case.
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Stein explains the value of the service they propose to offer.
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This is not about electricity and energy.
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This is about the service that this hydrogen can provide to the grid.
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So the value, we are not buying once a kilowatt hour and then selling it for 10 cents.
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This is not the case.
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So we are selling them a service that they can call whenever they want.
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And that service has a value that goes way beyond kilowatt hour pricing.
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So it's not really about kind of gaming the one cent against 10 cents.
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It's really about having an equipment that produces that service and that's electricity
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and at any given time when they need it and the rotating mass and inertia and all of that
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that's coming out of this turbine.
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It has much, much higher value at that given moment in time than I so requires than a kilowatt
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hour they can buy on the market.
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So they have energy markets and then a capacity market.
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So we are turning energy into the capacity basically and selling this as a capacity service.
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Douglas explains why a unique situation with power creation in Ontario makes this a good
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time to consider switching to hydrogen.
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People in Canada were talking about, hey, let's make hydrogen to export to Germany or
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let's make hydrogen to use for the transportation business.
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When we started, we came up with a different concept mostly from Dennis's sort of experience
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and expertise of, hey, let's make hydrogen with this super cheap energy at night.
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And sometimes in Ontario with our nuclear power, we can't turn off our nukes.
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So we actually pay Americans to take our power.
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It's bid negative at night like we'll pay them a penny or sometimes two cents to take
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the energy because we can't afford to turn off a nuke.
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If you turn off a nuclear reactor, it might take six months to turn it back on because
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you have to go through all this protocol.
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So that's the unique situation of Ontario and why we think it makes this an incredible
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opportunity for growth and for investment.
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Douglas notes the environmental impact the plant could have.
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Companies like Volkswagen and these large global manufacturers, they care about carbon
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now because their boards are saying they want suppliers that have a low carbon footprint.
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So by setting up shop in Ontario, they're basically ahead of the game.
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So we have a green grid.
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We're going to help green the grid here by a hydrogen peaker plant.
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Douglas speaks about the future of the project and its benefits.
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We will be looking for municipal resolution of support at some point.
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What we're talking about is 100% emission free, a $400 million project that will be
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one of the first and a unique opportunity to make it almost like a hydrogen sort of
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energy center that will attract more interest and could be used as kind of a center of excellence.
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We're talking about basically off the shelf components used in a new way.
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That's the innovation that we're proposing.
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Mayor Jim Hagedorn noted his interest.
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Producing power from hydrogen is kind of intriguing to me, so I've been quite interested in this.
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Councillor Paul Pratrick noted a potential hang up in the process.
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The emission thing, I think that's unique.
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The one thing that obviously in the starting stages is some kind of safety plan that's
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communicated to the community because I think in past experiences that has been a major
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roadblock.
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For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Tat Evans.
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This is North Shore News.
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Amherst Island Radio has come a long way from a tumble beginning 16 years ago in a converted
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milk house on Amherst Island.
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Today the station boasts a 4,800 watt transmitter serving loyalist township Kingston, Napa Nii
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and farther north and can be heard worldwide on the internet.
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And they continue to grow with the addition of their newly launched media hub in Bath,
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Ontario.
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Located at 218 Main Street in Bath, the new media hub represents a major leap forward
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for the non-profit volunteer run station.
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Eric Trombley, brand manager, says the goal is to create a space allowing the community
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to tell stories and share performances in new and exciting ways that weren't possible
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with the space restrictions of the main station.
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The new facility will feature a broadcast studio, performance and recording studio,
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multimedia production tools, and even live streaming capabilities.
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All for free for residents of Loyola's Township.
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Starting in the new year, Amherst Island Radio expects the media hub to up the station's
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game with the all new performance studio opening its doors to musicians providing them with
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the opportunity to record, live stream and broadcast live to air using high quality equipment.
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With over 150 live and station performances hosted annually, Eric explained that for the
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first time they can host full bands without worry.
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He says in the past to accommodate larger groups that they've had to set up a drum
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kit down the hall in the office at the main station.
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The new media hub isn't replacing the main station on the island, but rather will compliment
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the station's existing operations on Amherst Island, allowing volunteers more opportunity
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to continue to serve the over 20,000 listeners every month.
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The station's expansion utilizes a private internet connection linking the media hub
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to the existing broadcast tower on Amherst Island, ensuring that the community's creativity
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can reach even more listeners and keeping the media hub connected and coordinated with
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the main station and FM signal.
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By broadening its capabilities, the station aims to ensure future generations of local
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media makers and strengthen its role as a vital community resource.
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As the performance studio continues to take shape, Amherst Island Radio is calling on
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the community for support.
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Donations and volunteers are needed to complete the studio.
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For more information or to contribute, visit cjai.ca, join the Facebook group Friends of
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Amherst Island Radio and stay tuned to Amherst Island Radio 101.3 FM or online at cjai.ca.
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For Amherst Island Radio, I'm Jordan Webster.
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This is North Shore News.
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Nearly 60% of respondents in a fundraising campaign study for the W.J. Henderson Recreation
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Center said they'd be likely to donate towards the $2 million goal.
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Interviews for the study were conducted by BNP Goldie, Canada.
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Loyalist Township Council approved the motion to receive the report and approve commencement
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of the capital campaign outlined within it.
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Senior consultant with BNP Goldie, Canada, Lee Pejo, spoke about the amount of people
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willing to donate.
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Close to 60% of people said they would make a donation they're ready to give.
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And those who weren't sure, nobody said no, some said unsure.
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The majority of those said they were likely to give if they could understand the rationale
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behind it a little better.
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So that again, it was seen as a fairly positive comment.
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Pejo explains the focus of the study.
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Our question was to determine whether raising $2 million in donations for the renewal of
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the W.J. Henderson Recreation Center in donations and sponsorship is realistic and achievable.
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So we wanted to determine whether a fundraising campaign could be undertaken and how much
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support that campaign would have in the community.
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We wanted to identify the level of participation in that fundraising campaign by donors and
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volunteers and to identify campaign leaders and to assess their level of engagement so
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we know who would be working with Loyalist to raise the funds.
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Pejo detailed the process they took in the study.
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We prepare a case for support or a rationale around the question.
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We work to get a list of people to interview, influencers, decision makers, people in the
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know in the community.
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We prepare and agreed to interview questionnaire and we send out some meeting requests by email
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and follow them up.
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Then of course we do the appointments and then our third phase of course is the consolidation
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of those results, our analysis, the creation of the report, and that all happened between
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September and today's date.
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Pejo noted the main demographics that showed interest.
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There were generally two types of people that were considered to be interested in the project
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itself and that's the new or younger residents and potential residents of Loyalist Township
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who want services like this and will move into an area where there are services.
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And then there are more established residents who are interested in the project because
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they wanted something to be proud of.
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Pejo explained some of the challenges they found in the study.
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The challenges of running a $2 million campaign right now was that there are competition from
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other large charities such as the hospitals and post-secondary institutes in the area.
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There is a perception from some people that it is already built because it is and therefore
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is already paid for.
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So why would you need a campaign?
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The general economy and community demographics were seen by some as a challenge.
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It was also commented that not everybody uses it.
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There are some regional dynamics at play because Loyalist is a smaller community next to a
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larger community and there were some who wondered that aren't the taxes already paying for it.
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Pejo spoke about the response to the $2 million goal itself.
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We talked about and we tested the $2 million goal.
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The feedback we got was either uncertain or positive.
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There was no negativity around that and the uncertainty we had was people projecting their
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uncertainty onto others.
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So the people we interviewed said, I think it's a great idea, but I'm not sure how others
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would take the goal.
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So that was really an interesting part of the campaign for us and something again that
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will need to be addressed in communication.
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Pejo noted some common themes brought up within the interviews.
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There was general agreement that the facility is needed and a new facility.
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That it is a world-class project.
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It's not just another arena, it is regional.
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It is not just Loyalist Township that they would bring people in from other areas and
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that many clubs, groups and ages can participate in the community campaign, that there would
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be broad acceptance from the general community.
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And there was a broad support for donations and participation across the interviews.
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Pejo detailed the next steps.
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The immediate next steps is that our organization BMP will create a campaign plan and timeline
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that will put all of this together, include a campaign committee, a working committee.
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Of those volunteers who are going to hit the ground, get out there and get the major donations.
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That will mean in terms of reference, the scope, the scale of what they're doing.
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A fundraising advisory committee that would be made up of both council staff and volunteers
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so that there would be a bit of an oversight to what's going on.
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And specifically around timing, goals and naming opportunities.
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And again, that's about quantifying something so that you know when you've achieved something.
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And specifically a very strong communications plan that sets out actionable items as well
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as strategy to make the campaign successful.
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Pejo went on to speak about a timeline for next year and beyond.
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In January, we will complete the campaign case, the justification, the full rationale
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around it, as well as recruiting campaign leadership, getting a campaign chair specifically.
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And then next year, we would start with recruiting the other committee members, finalizing the
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communication materials themselves, create a campaign reference guide and training materials
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for those volunteers and staff, those question and answers, scenarios, you know, the ability
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for people to move forward on some things like that.
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And then finally next January, we have our final report and future planning for sponsorship
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and other activities.
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Pejo noted the positive outlook in the interviews and highlighted a positive quote.
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One of the big things that came out of it was that it was a legacy project.
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It was a rallying point for the community.
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This is a once in a generation project.
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As in this quote, it's this community hub, it's safe in its accessible space.
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It's something that many people in this council probably would only make a decision on once
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in a lifetime.
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Mayor Jim Haggadourne spoke about the report and where the township stands.
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I had great information and it looks like we've got a solid plan to start moving forward
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on.
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We have Cameron Stylen radio and the local journalism initiative.
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I'm Ted Evans.
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This is North Shore News.
18:51
Naturally LNA has released Lennox and Addington's ultimate holiday shopping tour.
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A guide to local businesses to shop at this holiday season from Loyalist to Greater Napa
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County, Stone Mills to Addington Highlands, visit NaturallyLA.ca and check out the local
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businesses involved in the local shopping route.
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For Amherst Island Radio, I'm Jordan Webster.
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This is North Shore News.
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Loyalist Township is reminding residents that they can take advantage of a special discount
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on dog tags.
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Now through March 31st, 2025, the discounted rate is just $15.
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After March 31st, the price will return to the regular fee of $30.
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You can pick up your dog tags at locations like the Odessa Municipal Office, Free Flow
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and Shells Market and Bath, Amherst View Pet Hospital, or WJ Henderson Recreation Center.
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And you can also purchase them online at loyalist.ca slash dog tags.
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For Amherst Island Radio, I'm Jordan Webster.
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This is North Shore News.
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Lennox and Addington will see its first ever holiday pantomime event this year in Odessa,
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Torrent Productions, a production company formerly based in Toronto that has recently
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relocated to Lennox and Addington are preparing to host the event.
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Cinderella, a merry magical pantomime, will be running from December 19th to 24th at a
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manual United Church in Odessa.
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Tickets are now on sale.
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Torrent Productions is run by husband and wife team Rob Torr and award-winning choreographer
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Stephanie Graham.
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They're hoping to make this an annual tradition for the community in Lennox and Addington.
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Co-artistic producer Rob Torr explains what pantomime is.
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It's a wonderful medium because we have music, we hope, that satisfies all the different generations.
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And there's vaudeville comedy, there's silly comedy, there's classic music, there's up-to-date
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music.
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Wordplay.
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Wordplay.
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It's all the things.
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There really is something for everybody.
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Word describes the company's history and his own personal connection to pantomime.
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We're from Toronto.
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We moved out here about three and a half years ago.
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And we've done four successful pantos downtown Toronto in a very sort of small-town feel.
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We were doing it at the local Legion.
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And Panto is my passion.
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And it was before we started them, but after producing them and seeing the magic that they
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created is why I want to continue doing it.
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We saw memories being formed.
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And that's what I want to do.
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I want families to be able to come to this and have memories and remember having a good
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time together.
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And silliness.
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I always say Panto is not going to change the world, but it might make it a better place.
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Project producer Stephanie Graham explains what they do at Torrent Productions.
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We have three core mandate things about Torrent production.
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Like we want to bring affordable professional theatre to Southern Ontario.
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We are interested in developing new shows and then encouraging and nurturing bridges
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between generations and the diverse demographics in our community.
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So those are our sort of three pillars.
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For right now we're focusing on the Panto and building that, but who's to say what might
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happen more in the future?
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A couple of notes how the show could expand and what they may be working on in the future.
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I've got three more shows written and ready to go.
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And our hope, like this year, we're only, at the moment we're scheduled to do eight shows,
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but we are able to extend.
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If possible.
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If we have enough, and again, that's all based on ticket sales.
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But I mean, I'd like to make this in the future.
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I'd like a six week run.
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I'd like people coming from all up and down the sea way to come to Odessa, come to Lenox
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and Addington, come to our little part of the world and enjoy all the things we have
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to offer here.
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The couple note how the show is currently run and how they'd like to foster more local
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talent in the future.
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We're asking Toronto based actors to come out here for four weeks at the holidays.
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And we have to pay them and we have to house them.
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But what I really would love to do is to be able to attract Kingston actors who've gone
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abroad and bring them back home so that they can be with their families during the holidays.
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But also so that we as a community can celebrate the talent that this community has helped
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create.
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We live in the area too, like we get it.
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And we would like to foster something, you know, something so that, and not just truly,
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not just the talent that's on the stage, but also stage managers and technical and also
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teaching audiences how to enjoy life theater.
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Because that's something that we don't do in this country.
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And pantomime is it's like an entry level form of life theater.
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And because it's not children's theater, it's family entertainment.
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The couple spoke about the long standing tradition of pantomime in the UK.
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My ultimate goal is to have a child that comes to see our show when they're seven or eight.
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And then we probably don't see them when they're 15 or 16.
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But then they go away to university and they come back and they go, you know, let's go
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to the panto and then they come back with their kids.
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Like that's that's the tradition in the UK.
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Like we didn't invent this format.
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It's it's it's it comes from well, a long, long tradition in the UK.
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And it's on it's that thing that you do during the holidays.
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You go to a panto and you have you have some silliness.
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Tor describes why he's so passionate about pantomime and is excited to bring it to Lenox
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and Addington.
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There's a magic that happens between the actors and the audience.
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And that's something that, you know, as the director, writer, producer, that relationship
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is something that, you know, I nurture.
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But what we find with this style of theater is a magic that I don't have control over.
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And that's the moment when a parent and a child laughed at something together and then
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look at each other and notice that they're sharing that moment together.
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And that's the magic I'm interested in creating.
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I think those are the special moments that we hope and we saw them every show.
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And it was it really was.
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It's sort of become my raison d'etre to nurture an opportunity for that to happen.
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For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
26:09
This is North Shore News.
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I'm Sarah Bridge with Kingsons News and here are your top headlines today, December 18th,
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2024.
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The deputy chief of the Kingsons Police Force has been suspended.
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The chair of Kingsons Police Services Board has now confirmed.
26:30
Board chair Stearns confirmed that Funnel has been suspended but gave no further details
26:33
on the nature of the suspension nor the reasoning at this time.
26:37
Postal operations resumed yesterday as Canada Post employees returned to work following
26:40
a Canada Industrial Relations Board ruling.
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The City of Kingston is advising Canada Post customers that they should expect delays in
26:46
processing and delivery.
26:48
Last week, Kingsons City Councilors presented the Queen's Family Health team with a $100,000
26:52
per check through the City of Kingston Primary Care Clinic Grant.
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The two initiatives that the money is going towards will reportedly support the clinic
26:58
in rostering 1,200 patients through Health Care Connect.
27:02
In a press release on Tuesday, December 17th, Kingsons Police said their officers are currently
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investigating two recent incidents of so-called distraction thefts, victimizing seniors.
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Police describe the suspects in both incidents as being a middle-aged male with two adult
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females accompanied by two young children in the backseat.
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A long list of local organizations are the recipients of a generous donation from small
27:21
but mighty group of local kinsmen.
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This year, the Kinsman Club of Napa Nia is donating $52,000 to local organizations.
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The once-sleepy village of Westbrook located along Highway 2 not far from the city's western
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border is poised for some major growth over the next quarter century, and the city is
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working on some public and private land deals to help accommodate that projected growth.
27:41
For more on these stories and other local news, visit kincsonist.com and subscribe.
27:46
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27:53
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