[All] Fw: Hamilton calls for coal phase-out now

Fri May 14 14:32:33 EDT 2010

Hello everyone. 

I would like to make a motion that GREN create a letter of support to Waterloo Regional Council to direct Ontario Power Generation to put its coal plants on standby reserve and only operate them if they are absolutely needed to keep the lights on in Ontario.  

The City of Hamilton has successfully passed this motion. Details are below for your reference. 

Louisette Lanteigne

--- On Fri, 5/14/10, Louisette Lanteigne <butterflybluelu at rogers.com> wrote:

From: Louisette Lanteigne <butterflybluelu at rogers.com>
Subject: Fw: Hamilton calls for coal phase-out now
To: mcolleen at region.waterloo.on.ca, "Jan d'Ailly" <jdailly at city.waterloo.on.ca>, "Diane Freeman" <dfreeman at city.waterloo.on.ca>, "Brenda Halloran" <bhalloran at city.waterloo.on.ca>, "Ian McLean" <imclean at city.waterloo.on.ca>, "Karen Scian" <kscian at city.waterloo.on.ca>, "Angela Vieth" <avieth at city.waterloo.on.ca>, "Mark Whaley" <mwhaley at city.waterloo.on.ca>, "Scott Witmer" <switmer at city.waterloo.on.ca>
Cc: Angela at cleanairalliance.org
Date: Friday, May 14, 2010, 2:29 PM

Dear Waterloo City and Waterloo Regional Council Members. 

The City of Hamilton's  City Council is asking the provincial government to shut down coal-fired electricity plants in Ontario including the massive one in Nanticoke. If implemented, the move should improve Hamilton’s air quality, although the local steel mills remain one of the largest sources of pollutants in the Great Lakes. To view an article on this please visit this weblink: http://www.viewmag.com/13003-Council%3A+Shut+Down+Coal+Now!.htm

I would like to see the City of Waterloo and/or Regional Council to pass a similar motion requesting the Government of Ontario to direct Ontario Power Generation to put its coal plants on standby reserve and only operate them if they are absolutely needed to keep the lights on in Ontario.  

A study conducted by the Clean Air Alliance shows the current government’s delay of a coal phase-out until 2014 is unnecessary and unhealthy. According to the report Ontario’s coal-free generation capacity is now 23% greater than the province’s forecast peak day demand in the summer of 2010 and 27% greater than its forecast peak day demand in 2014.  As a consequence, we no longer need our dirty coal plants to keep the lights on in Ontario or to ensure a reliable electricity supply. To review this report  please visit here: 

http://www.cleanairalliance.org/files/active/0/phaseout%20progress%202010.pdf

This report has been strongly supported by The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario and the Canadian Association of Physicians for the environment. They warn if we do not act to close the plants, now the delay to close the plants in 2014 will result in the death of 1000 Ontario citizens as a direct result of smog.  For more information visit this weblink:
http://www.cleanairalliance.org/node/827/

I highly recommend that public health contact the following individuals for more information.
Wendy Fucile, Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, (705)-748-1011 x7335
Gideon Forman, Cdn Assoc of Physicians for the Environment (416) 306-2273

We can make a difference. Please show your support for this important motion.

Louisette Lanteigne
700 Star Flower Ave.
Waterloo Ontario
N2V 2L2
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