Coal Power Generation

Columns

Nuclear claims and commercial contradictions
The signs of summer in Ontario: the sun is shining, the grass is growing and the birds are singing, declared smog-days are beginning to add-up and along with them, the related debate regarding the best route to meeting energy demands while achieving environmental goals begins to heat up once more[Read More]

 

Are carbon capture and storage in our future?
Climate change is upon us we are told – although it is something we’ve been hearing since 1953.[Read More]

 

Real action and real results required on environment
In the wake of October’s election and the new faces it has brought to Queens Park, the Official Opposition has undergone a shift in Critic responsibilities that has returned me to the role of Environment Critic. [Read More]

 

March 20, 2008 - Environment Critic encourages “Lights Out” for “Earth Hour”
Queen’s Park – Ontario PC Environment Critic Toby Barrett is encouraging Ontarians to turn out the lights on March 29th for one hour, between 8 and 9 p.m.[Read More]

 

March 14, 2008 - Carbon capture announcement underlines opportunity
at Nanticoke
Federal carbon plan may finally awaken province to potential of sequestration
Simcoe – A year-and-a-half after first writing Premier McGuinty to investigate the benefits of carbon sequestration to reduce greenhouse emissions at Nanticoke, MPP Toby Barrett is encouraged to finally see leadership on the issue – in this case from the federal government.[Read More]

An Open Letter to Premier McGuinty re. Need for nuclear consultation
Premier McGuinty:
In August 2005, your Minister of Energy asked the Mayor of Haldimand about interest in a nuclear plant to be built locally. Your government’s interest in a Haldimand County nuclear facility has generated considerable debate throughout my riding of Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant.[Read More]

Ontario’s coal closure follies continue
Last week the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) recommended coal generation be maintained until 2014. If the OPA directive is followed, this would mark the third time the McGuinty government has been forced to revise its coal policy – a policy that I’ve considered hare-brained from the get-go. [Read More]

Electricity- the plan continues to change

Over the years, I have outlined my vision for the Nanticoke power plant. This vision has been consistent, despite years of uncertainty caused by the rhetoric billowing from the current provincial government. [Read More]

August 9, 2006 -Ontario still far from meeting energy needs

As residents across our riding swelter in the wake of new record high temperatures and new record power consumption levels with each passing day, a myriad of questions remain unanswered as to how the provincial government will ensure the lights remain on and the A/C continues to blow in Ontario. [Read More]

April 5, 2006 - Rural Ontario is ‘smarting’ from Ontario’s energy policy

Springtime in Ontario- warmer weather, sunny skies, and rapidly rising energy costs.  The price at the pump is again through the roof.  Electricity is again up May 1.  Given our climate and our current state of energy dependence, higher bills will be making their way to our doorsteps over the next year. [Read More]

March 21, 2006 - Paying more and getting less for electricity

Once again, the Ontario government is reaching deeper into our pockets for electricity.  Ontario residents are facing a 15 per cent increase in their electricity bills, meaning their rates will have increased by 55 per cent since the McGuinty government took office.  This, despite Dalton McGuinty’s promise not to increase the cost of power. [Rea More]

February 10, 2006 - Coal plants must be kept running beyond next year

One look at the calendar reveals that time is running out on the Ontario Government’s promise to eliminate coal generation next year.  However, the McGuinty government continues to push for the fulfillment of that promise; closing the doors of coal-plants in Atikokan, Thunder Bay and Lambton next year – and now deferring the Nanticoke closure until 2009. [Read More]

August 17, 2005 - Five reasons for clean-air technology

As I drove to work at time of writing, I heard the radio announce we have been close to brownouts in Ontario 53 times this summer! Arriving at the office, a newspaper headline warned us “Be prepared for shock on next hydro bill”. [Read More]

June 22, 2005 - Time for leadership on coal, smog reduction

After two years advocating that Nanticoke OPG is too essential to shut down by 2007, I remain hopeful last week’s broken promise will mean further investment in pollution abatement.

As many have argued, this is one commitment the Ontario Liberals had to break. The low cost of fuelling Nanticoke, coupled with the lack of replacement power, and dwindling natural gas reserves, are just a few reasons why the 2007 closure deadline was unrealistic. [ Read More ]

March 22, 2005 - So, just how smart are smart meters?

The provincial government’s plan to have Ontarians install smart meters has become one of the most charged issues at Queen’s Park.

Smart meters are designed to replace the electricity meters that are currently installed at private residences throughout Ontario.  Rather than adding up the total usage of electricity between billing periods, these new meters are designed to determine the time of day that usage occurred.  This will allow local utilities to charge a higher rate for electricity used during times of peak demand, with the hope that consumers will shift their consumption to cheaper late night hours. [Read More]

January 25, 2006 - Paying the price for energy this winter

When a poor man came in sight,
Gathering winter fuel.
                                    - Good King Wenceslas

Surging energy prices were the story of the year in 2005.  Given prices at the pump, escalating electricity charges, and recent natural gas hikes, it looks like more of the same for 2006. [Read More]

Clean coal ignored by Liberal Electricity Act

As we debate the Liberal government's Bill 100, The Electricity Restructuring Act, 2004, I once again had the chance to remind the House of the high stakes gamble of this government’s commitment to close down Ontario's coal-fire electricity production by 2007. [Read more.]

October 12, 2005 - Coal-Fired reality check for Ontario Government

' Lifted sixteen tons of number nine coal,
the straw boss said "Well bless my soul".
You lift sixteen tons and what do get?
Another day older and deeper in debt. – Merle Travis

The economics of energy supply and demand have driven much of the world to again look at coal for future energy needs. The mega-economics of China, India and the United States now require the construction of hundreds of new coal-generating stations for electricity. [Read More]

August 10, 2005

Energy diversification from Lake Erie shoreline
Rob, Josh and I have been knocking on doors throughout the riding in the past week.  After discussing the unprecedented heat, people at the door are talking about the related issues surrounding electricity – both pricing, and the daily warnings that we are facing a shortage.  [Read More]

The role of coal in electricity generation

Last week saw the release of two reports regarding the current state of Ontario Power Generation (OPG), and the confirmation of the Liberal plan to close down Ontario’s coal-fire electricity plants by 2007. With jobs, higher electricity prices, and power supply hanging in the balance, it is vital to communicate the impact this plan will have on the future of Ontario.  [Read more.]

Keep the coal-fires burning: energy report

Last week saw the release of the Ontario Electricity Conservation and Supply Task Force’s report titled, Tough Choices: Addressing Ontario’s Power Needs. The report reveals some interesting facts for those finger-pointers who scapegoat OPG Nanticoke for its coal-fire energy production. [Read more.]

Rushing to close coal plants is not the answer

We are all well aware that there are smog problems in Ontario; however, the issue of air pollution requires more thought than simply rushing to pull the plug on coal-fired power plants like Nanticoke. [Read more.]

News Releases

March 18, 2004 - Confirmation of coal-fire closure ignores 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 blindly ahead to meet it’s 2007 coal-fire electricity closure deadline. [Read more.]

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. [Read more.]

January 15, 2004 - Coal-fire electricity required to meet looming energy shortfall: Barrett 

Queen’s Park -Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett is welcoming a report from the Ontario Electricity Conservation and Supply Task Force as sobering information that the government must consider before moving ahead with any coal-fire closure plans. [Read more.]

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. [Read more.]

October 22, 2003 - McGuinty coal-fire positions place 600 OPG Nanticoke workers in limbo

Simcoe – Premier Designate Dalton McGuinty may already be backing away from election promises while creating uncertainty for the people of Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant before even assuming power, according to MPP Toby Barrett. [Read more.]