For immediate release:
March 18, 2004

Coal-fire closure plans ignore looming power crunch

Simcoe – Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett says lost jobs, higher energy prices and lack of energy supply will be the reality if the McGuinty Government continues to forge ahead to meet its 2007 coal-fire electricity closure deadline.

Barrett responded after the release of Ontario Power Generation's (OPG's) 2003 Financial Statements, which include a write-down of the company's coal assets.

“The move to write down OPG’s coal generation assetts, underlines the government’s intention to close-down coal-fire plants and their ignorance of the impact this will have on jobs, electricity prices and supply,” said Barrett. “Shutting down 25 per cent of Ontario’s energy supply is a recipe for a major power and money crunch.”

“They should do their homework – Where’s the plan, where’s the economic impact study with respect to job losses, and higher electricity costs?” asked Barrett. “If the Liberals continue down this path, clearly demand will begin to exceed supply – you don’t need a degree in economics to know what this will do to price.”

Barrett reiterated the need for a solid plan on the future of Ontario’s energy supply before any steps are taken to close down current power suppliers.

“There are simply too many vital unanswered questions right now,” Barrett argued. “We need to know where power will come from and how much it will cost – they are sticking their heads in the sand and expecting everything to work out by itself.”

The MPP also pointed out that an energy shortfall could lead to the purchase of more American produced power, where coal-fire facilities abound.

The United States contributes more than 50 per cent to smog in Ontario.