For immediate release:

November 20, 2003

Coal fire promise clouds future of OPG Nanticoke

Queen’s Park – The Liberal government’s coal fire phase-out commitment underlines their ignorance of the facts and disregard for the 600 workers at OPG Nanticoke according to Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett.

“The Liberals have ignored the needs of many of our friends and neighbours who help to provide over 20 per cent of our energy needs in a rush to bow to special interest demands,” said Barrett. “Instead of building on the environmental successes we have achieved at OPG with new research and technology for cleaner coal-fired power, the Liberals will close the doors to one of our biggest power producers and turn their back on it’s 600 workers.”

The Throne Speech indicates that the government will keep it’s commitment to phase-out coal-fire plants – reinforcing their election promise to eliminate all coal-fire power production by 2007.

“Over the last year we have invested $250 million to reduce nitrous oxide emissions from our Lambton and Nanticoke plants, by a significant amount,” added Barrett. “Instead of spending close to $6 billion to fulfill this coal-fire promise, leaving this area short of jobs and Ontario short of energy, we should be implementing additional ways to improve emissions while maintaining employment and OPG Nanticoke’s significant power contribution.”

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