The OCAA review of the Independent Electricity System Operator’s plan for the future of Toronto’s electricity system (IRRP) finds that the plan is weak and will not lead to a phase out of the Portlands gas-fired power plant, the single largest greenhouse gas and NOx polluter in the city. In particular:
- Fails to address City Council’s stated objective of phasing out the Portlands plant.
- Fails to prioritize the lowest cost ways of meeting our electricity needs — energy efficiency and rooftop and parking lot solar and wind.
- Does recommend a new offshore transmission line that could be used to connect to a wind farm in Lake Ontario.
We have made a number of recommendations for improving the plan to lower costs and reduce pollution.