At the January 09,2012 Council Meeting Council unanimously supported recommendations to proceed with modifying the various Official Plans (i.e. the village community plans, the hamlet plan) to incorporate amendments with updated policies relating to any future applications to install power generation facilities in the Township.

These amendments cannot undo nor will impact what has already occurred i.e. the York Energy Centre.  But, what it does do is position the Township to be more effective in its response if/when there is a future application.  Importantly it distinguishes between installations of <5MW and larger; but no matter the size site specific studies on impact to environment and health are required.  (Note:  the Environmental Assessment required to build the YEC was not site specific.)  And also of importance is that it directs such installations away from the most environmentally sensitive parts of the Township.

The amendments also address installations for renewable energy generation although it clearly acknowledges municipalities have no veto power for such as a result of the Green Energy Act.  Despite this lack of authority the amendments indicate the intent to develop with York Region the protocol for review and comment of applications for renewables which includes wind, water, a biomass resource or product, or solar and geothermal energy.

You can read here the report presented to Council.