Environmental Issues in
Northern Ontario
GREEN - Greater Renewable
Energy and Ecodesigns Now
It’s Easy to be Green
The current deep freeze is tough on Ontario’s electricity supply. It
could get worse. Ontario is facing a looming electricity shortage within
two years unless new sources of electricity, such as renewable energy
and conservation, are utilized. Ontario’s Electricity Conservation and
Supply Task Force released a report last week.
The task force was commissioned by the former Eves government in 2003 to
provide recommendations on increasing the supply of electricity and
enhancing conservation.
Their report details the implications of the Liberal government’s
commitment to phase out coal fired plants by 2007—25 per cent of current
supply—and the aging and thus reliability of Ontario’s nuclear plants.
These pose problems for keeping the lights on and heaters working.
Meanwhile, energy demand is soaring especially during cold snaps like
the current deep freeze.
In addition, the increase and volatility of natural gas prices, the melt
down of energy financing because of the collapse of Enron, and confusion
over privatization of energy assets has caused little new generation of
electrical supply.
Of interest to Sudbury-based green power promoters is the new
government’s focus on energy conservation and renewable energy. The task
force calls for quick action to implement the Renewable Portfolio
Standard to generate five per cent of new electricity from renewables by
2007.
This would guarantee a certain percentage of new generation coming from
green power sources such as wind.
The Eves government in July introduced the concept of the incentive to
add 3,000 megawatts of renewable energy to Ontario’s grid over eight
years.
The Liberals have promised to go further. They now promise to generate
1,350 megawatts of renewable energy by 2007 and bringing on 6,000
megawatts of wind energy and 1,700 megawatts of biomass energy in the
longer term.
“That’s what the government is very committed to, conservation and
renewable energy. The targets for the Green Portfolio Standard are
etched in stone,” said Ted Greutzner, communications officer for the
Ontario Ministry of Energy.
The next steps include consultations with organizations and regions like
the north to firm up specific recommendations, said Greutzner.
Legislation is being promised for the spring session using this report
as a foundation.
Locally EarthCare Sudbury is rising to the energy challenge by
organizing two workshops.
There will be a Green Buildings Power Breakfast Thursday Jan. 29 at the
Howard Johnson Hotel on Regent Street at 8 am.
Tom Tamblyn, the president of the Dearness Environment Society, will
lead the session.
He is known for the Destination Conservation program implemented in
schools.
“This will be an introduction to a series of upcoming EarthCare
conservation and green energy workshops for property owners,” said Lisa
Scott, of EarthCare Sudbury.
On Saturday Jan. 31 from 9 am to 4:30 pm, EarthCare and the Ontario
Sustainable Energy Association will present the Community Green Power
Workshop at the Willet Green Miller Centre.
“The purpose is to determine the feasibility of developing an
environmentally friendly energy generation project here in Greater
Sudbury and explore the pros and cons of several different
technologies,” said Scott.
“The workshop is free, people can register by accessing the EarthCare
Sudbury website via the City’s website or fax the registration form to
me at 673-5171,” said Scott.
For information about either event phone Scott at 671-2489, ext. 4535.
Article first published in the
Northern Life,
reprinted with permission.
