Ladies Night Out big success

Officials and technical experts from Enbridge Pipelines Inc. hosted a public open house session June 4, at Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners to discuss a “relatively small, simple project.”

Michelle Wasylyshen, government relations manager, Ontario, explained that the $300 million project is relatively simple because it involves no new infrastructure, and creates no new environmental footprint.

Involved is the Enbridge oil pipleline, which runs through South Dundas, South Stormont and South Glengarry, approximately 10 km north of Highway 401.

Enbridge has applied to reverse the flow of Line 9, to allow it to bring oil products from the west to refineries in Quebec. 

Line 9 is an existing 30 inch diameter, 831 km pipeline with a current capacity of 240,000 barrels per day. It was built in 1976.

“This is a good news story for all Canadians,” she said, explaining that the flow reversal will mean more Canadian oil for Canadian refineries. 

Presently the flow brings outside oil to Canadian refineries. Enbridge’s customers want the change as the market is now such that Canadian oil sells for about $25 less a barrel than offshore oil.

Enbridge has also requested a 60,000 barrel a day increase in the amount of product that can be shipped.

The pipeline will carry mainly light crude oil, but some of the time could carry heavy crudes such as diluted bitumen, a type of crude oil sourced from the oil sands. 

According to Wasylyshen, Enbridge is careful to ensure that all products travelling through the pipeline are not detrimental to the infrastructure.

The increase in capacity will be achieved through the use of drag reducing agent and by the addition of new pumps, high flow impellers, replacement of piping and valves at existing pump stations. This allows for increased capacity with minimal requirement for new infrastructure and no increase in operating pressure.

While Enbridge is seeking these approvals from the National Energy Board, the meeting in Dixon’s Corners, and the others held throughout communities across the province, are not part of the approval process.

These meetings are part of Enbridge’s proactive approach.

“Over the last decade, we’ve transported almost 12 billion barrels of crude oil with a safe delivery record better than 99.999 percent,” said Wasylyshen. “The goal is to never stop striving for 100 per cent. Our goal at Enbridge is – and will continue to be – the prevention of all spills.”

In recent months, Enbridge has run several in-line inspection tools to provide data on the condition of the pipeline. Analysis of that data shows areas of the line where further inspection is required. Where those integrity digs are required, excavations, examinations and repairs, if necessary, will be done. 

There will be 32 of those digs taking place across South Dundas, 26 in South Stormont and 27 in South Glengarry.

Shaun Dawe, a technical expert with Enbridge explained that this number of digs is not out of the ordinary. According to Dawe, pipelines don’t necessarily have a lifespan. “They are managed to have an indefinite lifespan, though I wouldn’t say infinite,” he explained.

The actual excavations, examinations/repairs are expected to begin mid to late August and carry through to the end of the year.

Pipelines are subject to municipal property taxes. In 2012, Enbridge paid property taxes of $296,000 to South Dundas, $302,000 to South Stormont and $303,000 to South Glengarry.

[…]

Presently, South Dundas is not a willing host for future wind projects, but that could change.

At the May 5 South Dundas council meeting, mayor Evonne Delegarde read the resolution passed October 1, 2013. 

That resolution, originally brought forward by South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke, stated that, “Due to the fact that Ontario has a considerable generating capacity and only 25 per cent of the current wind power generating approved by contracts are currently connected to the power grid, the Municipality of South Dundas hereby declares that any future proposals will not be supported until the supply and demand for generation demonstrates a need.”

That motion was forwarded to the Minister of Energy and the Premier of Ontario at the time.

After mayor Delegarde read the resolution at the last week’s council meeting, she said that she would like to direct staff to forward a copy of it to EDP Renewables who at the last meeting spoke about plans for a new project east of the South Branch Wind Farm that could mean up to 40 new turbines to the area.

She also said it should be forwarded to the other company who plans to discuss another proposal with the municipality at an upcoming council meeting. 

But the rest of council did not agree with Delegarde’s direction.

“I originally brought that resolution forward, but a lot has changed in the last two years,” said South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke.

He said that he would like to see the location of the proposed towers  before taking that stance with those interested in South Dundas for future projects.

He said that a lot of the fears regarding the South Branch project never materialized. 

He suggested that, had two of the towers been erected in different locations there would not have been nearly the opposition to the project.

He also said that property values have not been affected.

“Let’s see the plan first, and then make a decision based on the plan,” said South Dundas councillor Marc St. Pierre, who was not part of the council that passed that 2013 resolution.

The other new council member Bill Ewing, who is the South Dundas representative of the Rideau St. Lawrence Utilities board, said that he would like to have a better understanding from the RSL perspective before making any decision.

South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan did not participate in these discussions having declared a conflict of interest in the matter.

Under the new provincial program, municipal support is one of the factors considered in the awarding of contracts. 

EDP has not yet officially asked for that support.

[…]

Well known Williamsburg and area couple, Don and Melba Morrell say that living in Dundas County is made a whole lot easier thanks to the many services available and agencies such as the J.W. MacIntosh Seniors’ Support Centre, that make it easy to access them.

In 2004, Don and Melba decided to sell their home and move into Park Drive Village. “It was a big decision to move but not having to worry about the lawn and snow removal was a relief,” says Don. “Living in the apartment isn’t that much different. We come and go as we like, travelling around the country side.”

The Morrells, married 66 years, are well known in the local community having raised their four boys who were talented athletes as well as through their involvement in community dances and events through Don’s musical talent on the saxophone.

As most local folk know, Don played in area bands beginning when he was 15 years old. He travelled far and wide with various bands until he retired in 2000, at that time playing with his band known as the Don Morrell Band.

Following their retirement from their day jobs in 1994, volunteering became a big part of the Morrells’ daily lives. They drove for Meals on Wheels throughout rural South Dundas, and shortly after his retirement from band life Don teamed with Betty and Cliff Barkley to return to the musical stage and this time provide entertainment at various senior events throughout the area.

As the year’s moved along, Don and Melba found themselves in need of various services for their health and well-being and they discovered that the majority of their needs could be met with the services available right here in Dundas County.

In 2006, Don and the family realized that Melba was having some trouble with her memory. “I stopped into the Seniors’ Centre and asked for information on what services were available,” says Don. “They gave me the Alzheimer Society’s number and some brochures, and also mentioned the services that were at the centre.”

Since he contacted the Alzheimer Society, Don has attended their caregivers’ support group and Melba has been attending the weekly Adult Day Program at the Centre in Williamsburg.

“This gives Melba a day away from home and a break for me at the same time,” says Don with Melba adding that, “she enjoys the day. We have lots of fun.”

In 2008, when the MacIntosh Seniors’ Centre brought new services into Park Drive Villa and the apartment buildings adjacent to the Centre, Melba became eligible to receive assistance from the Supportive Housing Service.

In 2010, Winchester District Memorial Hospital initiated a Diabetes Education Team to go out into the community to give regular information sessions to persons with diabetes or pre-diabetes conditions.

A variety of topics are presented and Don and Melba, who is diabetic, attend regularly. “This has been a great help to attend the sessions and have questions answered,” says Don.

Don and Melba are planning to attend the Fall Wellness Day at the J.W. MacIntosh Seniors’ Support Centre in Williamsburg on October 3, and they are encouraging others, of all ages, living in the community to join them. “You never know what the future will bring,” says  Don. “Come and see the organizations and mini presentations. It’s better to plan ahead.” 

[…]