Cutting electricity demand is key to cutting coal

May 23, 2007

Contest challenges communities to curb peak power usage

Cutting electricity demand is key to cutting coal

May 23, 2007 - The Ontario Clean Air Alliance (OCAA) is launching a “Peak Busters” contest to reduce peak summer electricity demand. The contest challenges communities across Ontario to bust dirty coal power through leadership and action, and rewards those that do the most to use the least.

The initiative will help ensure that the Nanticoke coal-fired electricity plant — Canada’s number one air polluter and biggest single source of greenhouse gases — is phased out as quickly as possible. “The Ontario Power Authority says we need to keep the gigantic Nanticoke coal plant in operation in 2010 and beyond to meet the spike in electricity demand that occurs on hot summer days. By taking actions to reduce their demand, the people of Ontario can help make Nanticoke unnecessary,” said Jack Gibbons, Chair of the OCAA.

Four contest winners will be selected among the communities served by utilities that achieve the largest percentage reductions in their peak day demands — by comparing demand at the time of the 2007 summer system peak to the 2006 summer system peak — and will include:

• The community in the province as a whole that achieves the largest percentage reduction in peak day demand;
• The community served by a large electric utility (e.g. Toronto Hydro) that achieves the largest percentage reduction in peak day demand;
• The community served by a medium-sized utility (e.g. Guelph Hydro) that achieves the largest percentage reduction in peak day demand; and
• The community served by a small utility (e.g. Orangeville Hydro) that achieves the largest percentage reduction in peak day demand.

Last summer, Toronto Hydro reduced Toronto’s electricity demand on its peak summer day by 5 megawatts (MW) compared to 2005, while for Ontario as a whole, peak demand increased by 845 MW.  “It’s time for communities across the province to show each other what they can do to reduce electricity demand, cut smog and check climate change,” Mr. Gibbons said.

“Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, perhaps of all time” said Toronto Mayor David Miller.  That’s why it’s so essential that we all work together to eliminate sources of greenhouse gases.  By taking up the Peak Busters challenge, and applying it to other aspects of our day-to-day lives, we can and will make a very real difference.”

To help reduce peak power demand, the contest encourages Ontarians to take actions such as:

• Signing up for a local utility PeakSaver-type program, which cycles air conditioners and water heaters on and off on peak days;
• Lowering air conditioner use by setting the thermostat to 26 degrees Celsius and using a programmable thermostat; and
• Running major appliances late at night and using EnergyStar models that require dramatically less electricity.

“We’ve barely scratched the surface of what can be done to reduce electricity use in homes and businesses in Ontario.  Yet this is the fastest and cheapest way to meet our province’s electricity needs while reducing our dependence on dirty coal power,” Mr. Gibbons noted.  “By being a Peak Buster you reduce smog, help curb climate change and save money on your hydro bill – and that’s a winning combination.”

For more information on the Peak Busters contest, please visit www.PeakBusters.ca.

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For more information: 
Jack Gibbons, OCAA Chair     416-926-1907 ext. 240
Don Wanagas, Director of Communications, Office of Toronto Mayor David Miller     416-338-7134