First-hand look
Public gets preview at Summerside energy proposals
SUMMERSIDE – A first batch of Summerside residents got a chance Thursday afternoon to take a closer look at the city’s proposed energy future.
Two public information sessions on the City of Summerside’s Capacity Resource Plan, prepared by Dunsky Energy Consulting, were held at Credit Union Place. The afternoon meeting was lightly attended but some of those who did sit through the presentation and following question and answer session said they liked what they heard.
Gerald Morneau has lived in Summerside for 20 years but is originally from Quebec, where he worked as a construction manager on the James Bay Project, among other hydro-electric builds. While energy is not his specific area of expertise, he has kept a life-long professional interest in such projects.
“I did not like the idea of this generator they wanted to buy in the first place,” said Morneau, regarding his reasoning for attending the meeting.
“Today … things are changing so fast I didn’t think they should go that route.”
The generator Morneau was referring to lies at the heart of Summerside’s energy supply discussion.
In 2018, the former Summerside city council was presented with a recommendation from staff that they invest $20 million in a new diesel generator to replace two models nearing the end of their life-spans. That touched off a discussion about whether Summerside residents really wanted to spend that much money on technology many said should be abandoned for more environmentally-friendly options.
Dunsky won the ensuing tender to study the subject further.
The resulting draft report is now available to the public and recommends Summerside move towards diversifying its energy future between continuing to buy supply from New Brunswick power, a battery storage pilot project, installing a bio-diesel generator and other initiatives.
Morneau said he’s pleased with the plan Dunsky put forward and looks forward to hearing more.
Resident Jason Dodd also liked what he heard at the meeting, though he would like to see the city continue to innovate on top of what has already been recommended.
“I appreciate that the city is being that transparent with what they want to try to implement. I would hope they take this information and have next-level thinking for what they would like to see the city (do.) What are the possibilities and what should we go all in on?” asked Dodd.
Dunsky is still working on its final report to the city. Thursday’s sessions were part of that process.
It hopes to have a final ready to present to council in the near future.