Any thoughts on energy generation and our environment?

Questions, and new power proposals, continue to surface during our local
energy debate.

I invite all interested to the Jarvis Community Centre on November 20th
- 6pm- for an evening of discussion, display and presentation on
electricity generation and our environment.

Last year's Jarvis Symposium featured speakers and display tables on
everything from solar to nuclear, coal gasification to carbon
sequestration, wind power and more.

Keynote speaker Environment Commissioner Gord Miller, was on hand to
frame the debate by stressing alternatives and their impacts in the
constant struggle to meet energy needs.

In his annual report last year, Environment Commissioner Miller advised,
"The province should rethink its current plan to vette the new nuclear
plan through the Ontario Energy Board. It should be subject to a full
Environmental assessment," going on to say that, "Such a major,
capital-intensive electricity plan deserves thorough scrutiny by
environmental experts," as opposed to the Ontario Energy Board, "which
has traditionally focused its reviews on rates, cost and fairness."

In his annual report this year, Gord Miller highlights concerns that the
Environmental Assessment (EA)process itself needs overhauling:

"a number of perverse amendments to the EA process over the years mean
that other approvals (e.g., the purchase of land) are being allowed to
precede EA approval, making it extremely unlikely that proposed projects
will subsequently be rejected through the EA process. Since 1996, 64
individual EA projects have been approved under the EA process, while
only two individual EA projects have ever been refused."

While much has changed since our last symposium - a regulation now to
close coal production by 2014, an announcement from Bruce Power to
option 1760 acres from US Steel for two nuclear reactors - some things
have not changed.

I continue to receive input - and questions - with regard to the
potential of clean air technology and the future of Nanticoke's coal
plant; and the potential for solar, wind, and natural gas, and nuclear.
My office polling over the past three years shows 70 per cent of
respondents oppose new nuclear if there is a possibility of keeping the
coal plant running.

It will be intriguing to see how stakeholders feel about these issues at
this year's Symposium. Will the ensuing year and a half of new and
rumoured energy proposals, as well as further government directives to
close coal and reduce carbon emissions, have an impact on local
viewpoints. And will this Ontario government take into consideration the
recommendations from our 2007 symposium keynote speaker when it comes to
nuclear proposals and the EA process itself.

It was June 2006, when Premier McGuinty announced a $40 billion nuclear
build, and rebuild, program. He also promised full public consultation
before going forward. Since then, I have written two letters to the
Premier requesting that 1. government hold public hearings on the future
of electricity generation in our area; and 2. provide a cost comparison
between nuclear generation and coal-fired generation that includes
carbon capture and clean-air technology. I have yet to receive a
response.

Given what's at stake I continue to press for government to conduct a
comprehensive public consultation beyond EA's to ensure the area voices
are heard before any further energy production decisions impacting our
local communities are made.

THE PC PARTY PLAN FOR ONTARIO'S FUTURE

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