Meaford is hiring consultants to help ensure the community’s best interests are considered by TC Energy in its proposed pumped storage project.
Council on Monday approved a plan to retain consulting firms StrategyCorp Inc. and Ainley Group to help with a community benefit agreement, and to conduct independent peer reviews of TC Energy’s studies respectively.
StrategyCorp, a government relations and management consulting firm, will be focused on negotiating a community benefit agreement between Meaford and TC Energy.
The Ainley Group, an Ontario-based engineering and planning consulting firm, will conduct an independent peer review of TC Energy’s studies and other work as part of the environmental assessment process.
The municipality says the consultants are retained by Meaford and work exclusively on its behalf. But all costs incurred to review and engage with TC Energy will be reimbursed by the company.
Mayor Ross Kentner says they know this project could affect the community in a number of ways and these firms will help understand potential impacts, review research for validity and advocate for needs and concerns.
“Without having direct approval authority, it’s crucial that we have a voice through the review of environmental assessment documentation and a community benefits agreement,” says Kentner.
TC Energy’s proposed pumped storage project on Department of Defence lands in Meaford is due for final evaluations from provincial regulators this fall.
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