All parties endorse a coal phase-out regulation

August 27, 2007

All parties endorse a coal phase-out regulation

August 27, 2007  -  All of Ontario’s major political parties support the need for a provincial government regulation that establishes a legally binding date for the complete phase-out of Ontario’s four dirty coal-fired power plants, according to an Ontario Clean Air Alliance (OCAA) survey released today.

The Green Party is calling for a regulation to phase-out all of the coal plants by 2009. 

The NDP supports the phase-out of coal-burning at the Nanticoke and Lambton Generating Stations by 2011 and 2012 respectively; and a complete phase-out of coal-burning at the Atikokan and Thunder Bay Generating Stations by 2014.

On Friday, August 24 the McGuinty Government issued a legally-binding regulation requiring the complete phase-out of all of Ontario’s coal-fired power plants by 2014.  According to Premier McGuinty, “We have reduced emissions by 1/3rd during our first mandate, will reduce emissions by another 1/3rd within our second mandate and will eliminate coal by 2014.”

The Progressive Conservative Party supports the phase-out of coal burning when “there is adequate supply from other sources.”

ldquo;By aggressively promoting energy conservation, renewables and natural gas-fired combined heat and power plants, Ontario can achieve a complete coal phase by 2010”, said Jack Gibbons, Chair of the OCAA.  “An early coal phase-out could provide Ontario with 50 to 80% of the total greenhouse gas emission reductions that the entire province needs to meet its Kyoto Protocol target in 2010,” Mr. Gibbons added.

According to the survey responses, the NDP and the Green Party both support a ban on non-emergency coal-fired electricity exports to the United States.  The Liberals and the Progressive Conservatives, on the other hand, oppose a ban on coal-fired electricity exports.p>

In 2006, Ontario became a net electricity exporter.  Last year Ontario Power Generation exported approximately 20% of its total coal-fired electricity generation to the United States, thereby increasing its profits at the expense of public health.  “Ontario should only export or import coal-fired electricity if it is absolutely necessary to keep the lights on in the U.S. or Ontario,” said Mr. Gibbons, “Non-emergency exports do more harm than good.”

To see the full responses of the political parties to the OCAA survey please visit www.cleanairalliance.org/whatsnew/election2007.html.

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For more information:
Jack Gibbons, Chair 416-926-1907 ext. 240