We, the Greenbelt Water Keepers, call upon our fellow residents of Ontario, to join us in opposing the proposed Langmaid Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility. 

Our homes are nestled within the beautiful and ecologically significant Clarington Greenbelt. It's a place where we can watch the night sky (even the northern lights on occasion), active commercial and homesteading farming, and nature strive to thrive in this unique natural connected web of hilly fields, shrubby fence lines, woods, creeks and wetlands - known also as the Oak Ridges Moraine.

This area is not just special to us; it is a vital part of our community where habitats for diverse species, unique land features and agricultural lands provide essential functions to keep the natural water balance: water absorption, filtration and dispersal. 

The proposed Langmaid BESS threatens this delicate balance. It could lead to environmental degradation (including potential contamination of water sources), disruption of local wildlife habitats, removal of 5-57 hectares (12-140 acres) of agricultural lands from farming use, not to mention risk of fire and explosion with toxic releases. It is not just the neighbouring residents affected.  The Greenbelt was set aside for all Ontarians.   The ecological and hydrological functions it provides are key to Ontario's commitment to healthy present and future generations.  

The project proposal by Plus Power, a Texas-based company, is one of over 50 proposals in response to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) Long-Term 1 Request for Proposals (RFP) and our research shows the Langmaid BESS is the only one proposing to acquire land from the Greenbelt.

Industrial facilities like the Langmaid Battery Energy Storage System facility do not belong on the Greenbelt.

According to Statistics Canada, over 70% of Canadians believe that protecting natural areas from industrial development should be a priority (Statistics Canada, 2016).  We are confident that many residents in Ontario share this sentiment based on the successful citizen pressure on the Ontario government to reverse its position on housing development on the Greenbelt. 

WE NEED YOUR VOICE NOW!

Time is short!  Plus Power held their first community meeting in September 2023 as a minimal effort to submit their proposal to the IESO in December 2023.  Under tremendous time constraints and with great urgency, the Greenbelt Water Keepers is planning a delegation to the Municipality of Clarington in October 2023. 

Please sign this petition today and help us protect Clarington's Greenbelt from industrial encroachment and ecological fragmentation.

Your signature will make a difference!

We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge our leaders (of the Municipality of Clarington Council and the Legislative Assembly of Ontario) to act now to consider the long-term impacts on our environment and community by denying support to the Langmaid Battery Energy Storage project on Ontario’s Greenbelt.  Let us work together towards sustainable solutions that do not compromise our cherished green spaces.

Learn about other ways to take action at www.greenbeltwaterkeepers.ca

The Greenbelt Water Keepers acknowledge that the lands we protect and value in Clarington Ontario’s Greenbelt are on the traditional lands of the Williams Treaties.  These treaties were signed between settlers and seven First Nation communities: the Mississaugas of Alderville, Curve Lake, Hiawatha, and Scugog Island First Nation, as well as, the Chippewas of Rama, Georgian Island Beausoleil First Nation.  The Greenbelt Water Keepers acknowledge that we are still learning about “settlers” obligations under the Williams Treaty, Indigenous Truth and paths to Reconciliation.  We also acknowledge, that the term “settlers” above means that treaty obligations apply to present and future residents of this area.  

To learn more about the Williams Treaties or the signatory Indigenous communities, we encourage you to search and visit each community’s website as each community is unique.