For Immediate Release
June 16, 2005

Barrett dismayed by lost opportunity to cut smog

Simcoe - Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett is calling on the provincial Liberal government to show leadership on smog reduction in our common air-shed with the United States.

“This government has missed a real opportunity to show real leadership in North America,” Barrett stated. “Ontario could lead the way in cleaning the coal-fired generating plants across North America – it’s a shame they have missed out on this role.”

Today the Report on Transboundary Air Pollution was released which shows that much of Ontario’s air pollution comes from the United States through prevailing winds. The amount of the transboundary pollution causes higher levels of smog in Ontario and can, in some areas, under certain conditions, cause 90% of the pollution.

“Clearly, in order to put an end to the smog advisories that we have seen these past weeks, we need a government that is willing to lead the way.” Barrett stated. “We know most of our smog comes from the United States and we know the likelihood of those plants closing in the United States. So why not lead by example and continue the progress of the previous government by continuing to clean our plants here?”

The previous Ontario P.C. government spent $250 million on technologies known as SCR’s (Selective Cataytic Reduction) to reduce NOx emissions at both Nanticoke and Lambton OPG operations.

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