Maple Ridge, British Columbia – The construction of a battery plant in Maple Ridge has been put on hold due to concerns raised by the local community.
The project, which was set to be built on a 12-acre site in the Albion Industrial Park, has faced opposition from residents who are worried about the potential environmental impact and increased traffic in the area.
According to the City of Maple Ridge, the developer, Ridge Energy Storage, has voluntarily paused the project to address these concerns and engage in further discussions with the community.
In a statement, Mayor Mike Morden said, “We appreciate the developer’s decision to pause the project and work with the community to address their concerns. We want to ensure that any development in our city is done in a responsible and sustainable manner.”
The proposed battery plant would have been the first of its kind in Canada, with the capacity to store up to 400 megawatt-hours of energy. It was expected to create around 100 jobs and contribute to the city’s economic growth.
However, residents have expressed concerns about the potential noise and air pollution from the plant, as well as the impact on the nearby wildlife and water sources.
In response to these concerns, Ridge Energy Storage has stated that they will conduct further studies and assessments to address any potential environmental impacts. They have also committed to implementing measures to mitigate noise and air pollution.
The company has also stated that they will continue to engage with the community and provide updates on the project’s progress.
The pause on the battery plant project has been welcomed by local residents and environmental groups, who have been vocal in their opposition to the development.
In a statement, the group Protecting Maple Ridge said, “We are pleased that the developer has taken the concerns of the community seriously and has paused the project to address them. We look forward to continuing to work with them to ensure that any development in our community is done in a responsible and sustainable manner.”
The City of Maple Ridge has stated that they will continue to monitor the situation and work with the developer and community to find a mutually beneficial solution.
As of now, there is no timeline for when the battery plant project will resume. However, the pause on the project shows the importance of community engagement and addressing concerns in any development process.
