Ontario determined to
be coal-free
By David Steinkraus
While southeastern Wisconsin grapples with
its future energy needs, our neighbors to the far north have
already decided where they won't go.
The government of Ontario declared a few months ago that it
intends to phase out all coal-fired electricity generation by
2007 provided a substitute is available. That drew support from
New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer who, in a letter to the
Ontario premier, said he had for some years been pressing for a
reduction in the emissions from coal-fired power plants.
What replaces coal is the key question.
The Ontario Clean Air Alliance - comprised of governments,
businesses, and a number of public-interest organizations -
asserted in an August report that Canada produces enough natural
gas to make the elimination of coal feasible and adds that the
global development of liquefied natural gas technology will
increase supplies to North America. Using natural gas
exclusively as a replacement for coal would increase electricity
prices between 3 and 5 percent by 2010, the report says.
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A January report by the
Electricity Conservation & Supply Task Force, appointed by
the provincial government, finds that sole reliance on natural
gas would make electricity prices uncertain. The task force
suggests that a better alternative would be a diverse mix of
fuels - natural gas to meet basic and peak demands, renewable
sources where possible, and new hydroelectric and nuclear plants
to meet basic demand - combined with an aggressive conservation
program. It also suggested developing clean-coal technologies
and a restructuring of the power market so there is an emphasis
on long-term, rather than short-term, contracts
On the Net: Go to www.cleanair.web.net on the Internet to learn
more about the Ontario Clean Air Alliance and the plans to
improve the province's air quality. You can also find there a
copy of the alliance report on coal-fired power plants and a
copy of the Ontario Energy Ministry's electricity task force
report. |
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