Creating Cleaner Air In Ontario – Province Has Eliminated Coal-Fired Generation

News from Ontario Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli

 (A Brief Foreword by Doug Draper – Thank God that these coal messes are finally gone in Ontario.

Nanticoke coal-burning energy plant in full flight, toxic emissions and all. Ontario has finally shut coal energy plants off.l

Nanticoke coal-burning energy plant in full flight, toxic emissions and all. Ontario has finally shut coal energy plants off.l

I remember, when I was still working as a full-time environment reporter at the late great, independent St. Catharines Standard, going across the border to Buffalo, New York, for a meda conference held by the then-attorney general of that state and environmental groups in New York State. They used the occasion to rightfully slam Ontario for emissions they could pick up on air-monitoring systems coming into western New York from Ontario’s coal-fired plant in Nanticoke, which is ne of those finally shut down.

I sure don’t recall Ontario Tory (Tea Party) leader Tim Hudak or any of his friends out there in Wainfleet or West Lincoln, who have bought into the petro-chemical propaganda that wind and other renewable energy are a ‘health hazard’ ever once complain about the mercury and other toxins they were breathing from these coal-fired plants. Perhaps they would prefer to have a coal-burning plant in their backyard rather than a wind or solar system.

Now here is the announcement around Ontario going coal free in the energy department from the province’s energy minister.)

Queen’s Park, Ontario, April 15th, 2014 – Ontario is now the first jurisdiction in North America to fully eliminate coal as a source of electricity generation. The Thunder Bay Generating Station, Ontario’s last remaining coal-fired facility, has burned its last supply of coal. Operated by Ontario Power Generation, Thunder Bay Generating Station was the oldest coal-fired station in the province. 

The plant is scheduled to be converted to burn advanced biomass, a renewable fuel source. The province has replaced coal generation with a mix of emission-free electricity sources like nuclear, waterpower, wind and solar, along with lower-emission electricity sources like natural gas and biomass.
 
Ontario has fulfilled its commitment to end coal generation in advance of its target of the end of 2014. A coal-free electricity supply mix has led to a significant reduction in harmful emissions, as well as cleaner air and a healthier environment.
Providing clean, reliable and affordable power is part of the government’s economic plan that is creating jobs for today and tomorrow. The comprehensive plan and its six priorities focus on Ontario’s greatest strengths – its people and strategic partnerships.

 

QUICK FACTS

  • Thunder Bay Generating Station came into service in 1963.
  • Converting the station to advanced biomass will retain 60 jobs in Thunder Bay.
  • Last year, Ontario introduced the Ending Coal for Cleaner Air Act, which would ensure coal-fired generation as a source of electricity in the province never happens again.
  • Since 2003, Ontario’s coal closure plan has eliminated up to 30 megatonnes of emissions annually. The closure of Thunder Bay Generating Station marks the end of coal fired emissions from electricity generation in Ontario.
  • According to a 2005 independent study, “Cost Benefit Analysis: Replacing Ontario’s Coal-Fired Electricity Generation,” the estimated cost of coal generation was approximately $4.4 billion annually when health, environmental, and financial costs were taken into consideration.

 

 

LEARN MORE

 

QUOTES

“Getting off coal is the single largest climate change initiative undertaken in North America and is equivalent to taking up to seven million cars off the road. Today we celebrate a cleaner future for our children and grandchildren while embracing the environmental benefits that our cleaner energy sources will bring.”
 — Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Energy

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2 responses to “Creating Cleaner Air In Ontario – Province Has Eliminated Coal-Fired Generation

  1. Yes But they are now talking about expanding the NUCLEAR footprint in Ontario rather than purchasing clean power from Quebec. What the hell is wrong with politicians, are they all listening and are seduced by profit mongering Corporate interests who care about nothing but the bottom line on a profit and loss statement instead of people who care about today and yes tomorrow for their children and grand children???????

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  2. Why is Ontario replacing coal fired power plants with gas fired plants, there is a shortage of gas, 40% price increase this Spring alone, does it make sense to replace one fossil fuel with another? The UK is replacing their coal fired power plants with renewable wood pellets as a fuel, which is replaceable and plentful, They buy some of their wood pellets from Canada , so why can’t we bring our idled northern saw mills back into production and use up the millions of acres of beetle ravaged trees, produce more wood pellets, a steady supply for our power plants. This would help our northern peoples to have work, and make our Province energy independent.

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