Statement from Mayor David Miller on provincial gas-fired power plant in Toronto
TORONTO, Feb. 1, 2006
Mayor David Miller says the Ontario government
should be innovative when addressing future electricity needs instead of
planning for a traditional gas-fired mega-power plant in the City of Toronto.
"We have to keep the lights on in Toronto, but we have to examine this
properly and look to the long-term," the Mayor said. "If we don't take this
approach, we'll be repeating the mistakes made in the past."
Ontario Power Generation and TransCanada Corp. have proposed building a
550-megawatt generating station near the site of the old Hearn power plant on
Toronto's eastern waterfront. But the Mayor said that what is needed is a
comprehensive strategy that combines new generation and conservation. This is
a better alternative to a new mega-plant.
Toronto Hydro has confirmed they can conserve 200 megawatts by 2008
through aggressive demand management. And, rather than pushing ahead with
plans for a new mega-plant in the port lands, the province should consider
refurbishing the existing Hearn facility on Unwin Avenue. This upgrade could
provide the remaining 350 megawatts that Ontario's Independent Electricity
System Operator has deemed necessary to supply the city sufficient peak
energy.
"This is a serious issue and we want to work with the province to find a
solution," the Mayor said. "We need additional capacity in Toronto because of
the nature of the power grid, but - more importantly - we need to address our
energy consumption. There are realistic measures that can be undertaken with
appropriate provincial funding that would significantly reduce our energy
consumption and assist with load management."
Blair Peberdy, vice-president of Toronto Hydro, said the city utility is
a leader in proving there is an appetite for conservation programs. "We know
much more is possible," he added. "We've delivered 134 megawatts of
conservation in the past 12 months and that's significantly more than any
other utility in the province. We believe if a sustainable plan that includes
sufficient generation, conservation and local green initiatives is presented
to the community, there will be support." |
