For Immediate Release                                             

September 16, 2005

Barrett asks, What do you think of nukes at Nanticoke?

Atomic McGuinty taking 25% of power off grid while musing about nuclear

Port Dover – Rumours of McGuinty’s nuclear power plan have placed a large question mark over Nanticoke OPG.

Yesterday Dalton McGuinty said he would be OK with new nuclear if a review approves it in December – this followed recent reports that the Energy Minister had mentioned the possibility of nukes at Nanticoke to the Mayor of Haldimand.

“I’m very concerned that this government is continuing their practice of making it up as they go along- leaving us with a made-in-Toronto decision that could place a nuclear facility in our backyard without our area being able to provide input,” Barrett said. “The Energy Minister has yet to even pay a visit to Nanticoke –or Lambton for that matter – to see what he’s dealing with and hear from those his electricity decision will impact.”

“I invite the Minister down so he can get a first hand look and encourage the McGuinty government to talk to people locally before making any decision on nuclear.”

In an effort to provide a local “show of hands” on the nuclear Nanticoke possibility, Barrett is conducting a survey at his office and the Caledonia and Norfolk Fairs.

Meantime, Barrett continued to remind the government of the potential benefits of investment into clean air technology at coal plants as an alternative to complete closure and the reduction of 25 per cent of our home-grown electricity supply.

“Having just returned from a tour of the Lambton Generating Station (LGS) where I witnessed equipment that reduced both sulphur dioxide, and even mercury significantly – something McGuiinty has said can not be done – I continue to question this government’s approach,” attested Barrett. “From the top of LGS I saw three Detroit-Edison coal fire plants across the river – if we close our plants, American coal plants will continue to provide more than half of Ontario’s smog problem while we continue to import.”

Barrett’s comments mirrored PC Energy Critic John Yakabuski’s warnings about cutting supply in a time when demand is hitting new peaks. Ontario’s new Energy Critic worked at Nanticoke OPG in the early days.
                       
 “We’ve faced energy shortages this summer yet Dalton McGuinty still wants to go ahead with his irresponsible promise to close coal power plants,” said Yakabuski. “This was a promise they were irresponsible to make and they continue to incompetently implement it without enough generation to replace that supply.

 “Their coal promise was irresponsible and Dalton McGuinty’s refusal to consider all options, including clean coal, is irresponsible as well. The McGuinty Liberals are not providing businesses and consumers with the affordable and reliable supply of energy they need,” Yakabuski said.

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For more information please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446, 905-765-8413 or 1-800-903-8629