For immediate release:
November 16, 2006

Barrett backs Clean and Affordable Energy Alliance
Clean Air technology adds fuel to coal-fire debate

Queen’s Park – A Queens Park media conference put on by the CAE (Clean and Affordable Energy) Alliance echoed MPP Toby Barrett’s sentiments on the potential for clean and affordable energy from coal.

Representatives from both the Lambton and Haldimand-Norfolk arms of the CAE Alliance pointed out that the McGuinty government decision to close coal-fired power plants is not based on science and economics, but on a misrepresentation of information.

After years of fighting in the Legislature against the Liberal coal closure plans, Barrett commended the Alliance members for stepping forward to speak out against government misdirection on the energy file.

“The CAE Alliance has done a great job in poking holes in the McGuinty anti-coal stance – including raising issues of affordability, reliability and proven supply of coal, as well as exploding myths regarding coal impacts and pointing to the potential for clean air technology at Ontario coal plants,” Barrett said. “The question is, if a grassroots group can come to these conclusions, and I can argue these points year after year in the Legislature, why isn’t Mr. McGuinty able to figure this out for himself.”

During their media conference the CAE Alliance presented a series of charts detailing the facts surrounding the coal debate. The Alliance members indicated that not only is coal cheaper, more available and reliable than other electricity producing fuel sources, but through the use of existing technology, often exaggerated pollution rates attributed to coal burning can be dropped to a minimum.

“The McGuinty Liberals have had three years to implement clean air technology at our coal plants to live up to their commitment to protect the environment - instead they’ve buried their heads in the sand, announcing a series of ever extending coal closure dates they would never be able to keep,” exclaimed Barrett. “Given the recent OPA report recommending government maintain current coal power plants until 2014 – and the lack of ability for this regime to understand the energy file – I was dismayed, but not surprised, to see that not one Liberal member made it out to hear what the CAE Alliance had to say.”

For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: (519) 428-0446, (416) 325-8404, or 1-800-903-8629