Proposed Canadian Plant Gains Approval, Local Community Objects
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The community of Oshawa, Ontario is taking action against the recent approval of a proposed ethanol plant. On Aug. 9, the Oshawa Port Authority announced its approval for FarmTech Energy Corp. to build and operate a 210 million liter (55.48 million gallon) ethanol plant at the Oshawa Harbor.
In response to the OPA announcement, the Oshawa City Council held a special council meeting on Aug. 23, where it passed a motion to contact the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner of Canada. The council is requesting that the commissioner open an ethics investigation with regard to the relationship between the OPA, Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the Greater Toronto Area Jim Flaherty, and FarmTech Energy. According to information released by the council, the investigation will focus, in part, on the appointments of the board of directors and chair of the OPA and their relationship to Flaherty and FarmTech Energy.
In addition, the council also passed a motion urging the OPA to hold a public meeting to transparently explain its decision to approve the plant, provide an overview of its development plan for the Oshawa Harbour, address concerns held by the city and members of the community, and answer questions from residents. READ MORE and MORE (PR NewsWire)
