[All] GREN news of interest

[Louisette Lanteigne]

Hi folks

Wow. Lots happening folks. GREAT news happening in Ontario.

Here's the update on Global, Canadian and Provincial issues as well as links to online petitions.

Global news: 

Cadmium discharge from a mining company in two rivers in southern China 3.7 million in Liuzhou in the Guangxi region to avoid drinking water. The emergency is sparking a demand for bottled water. 

http://www.canada.com/health/China+cadmium+spill+threatens+drinking+water+millions/6062731/story.html


Doctors in the US are calling for a moritorium on "fracking" until health studies can be conducted to see if the practice is safe.
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-01-18/fracking-moratorium-urged-as-doctors-call-for-health-study.html


In Obama's state of the nation speech, he wants to expand natural gas extraction, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obama-energy-20120127,0,5852352.story 
On CBC radio I heard the US is working with covert trucking from diesel to cleaner natural gas. The US trucking fleet uses 30% of the US diesel and if they can convert the vehicals to US sourced natural gas, it will negate the need to secure petroleum products from Saudi Arabia. 

California successfully passes new car emission regulations. 
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/car-makers-support-califs-clean-car-regs-15454269#.TyMuLTj3Wn0.twitter


A comprehensive review of public health studies conducted near wind turbines in the United States and Europe was released recently in Massachusetts. The report ably demonstrates, wind turbines are safe and the health-related claims of project opponents are unsubstantiated.
http://www.awea.org/newsroom/pressreleases/statement_Massachusetts_health_study.cfm


2% of the heat from Volcanoes taken six miles below the ground could provide 2,500 times as much energy as the US currently uses!
http://www.energydigital.com/renewable_energy/volcanos-new-source-of-geothermal-energy


Canadian News

On Twitter: MP Linda Duncan tweeted that the National Energy Board tells the Dene First Nations: they will NOT be considering impacts of tar sands as impact of gateway pipeline

Oil Sands conflicts with PM Harper's promises to reduce green house gas by 65% by 2050

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/Pipeline+supporters+need+remember+elephant+room/6060005/story.html


Documents secured by Freedom of Information shows the Federal Government views First Nations groups, NGO's and environmentalists are "ADVARSARIES" to the oil sands. .http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/01/26/pol-oilsands-campaign.html

Canadian CEO told by Prime Minister’s Office, ForestEthics is an “Enemy of the Government of Canada,” and an “Enemy of the people of Canada. The whistle blower who worked with the Prime Minister's office, put his sworn statements online so the public could see what was happening behind the scenes. 

http://www.scribd.com/doc/79228736/Whistleblower-s-Open-Letter-to-Canadians


MP Joe Oliver earlier this week stated Foreign interests and radicals were "hijacking" planning projects. Since then the groups he mentioned, aka Friends of the Environment and Greenpeace,  have had overwhelming support by way of public donations!  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2012/01/27/pol-cp-radical-environmental-groups.html

Provincial News - VERY GOOD NEWS!!!

Dalton McGuinty and the Ontario Liberals are cleaning up our province with green energy and the proof is in the latest Ontario Progress Report. Here are the highlights: 


The Liberals are on schedule to eliminating Ontario emissions from coal-fired power plants by 2014 which will remove emissions equal to 7 million cars. There will no longer be coal-fired power generation in Ontario.
Ontario’s coal-fired electricity generation in 2011, just 2.7% of our electricity generation was coal-fired, our lowest level since 1961.

Shutting down coal in Ontario will save health care $3 billion/year by preventing illness costs of smog.

Ontario introduced more than 2,000 megawatts from sustainable, renewable sources in 2011

Green Energy Act, Ontario has created more than 13,000 clean energy jobs in Ontario currently and will generate 50,000 jobs by the end of 2012 
Green Energy Act in Ont: 21,000 contracts for small, medium & large clean energy projects & about $13 billion in private sector investment,

Ontario is Canada’s leader inwind power, going from 10 turbines in 2003 to over 900, enough to power 350,000 homes

Ontario has more than 200 MW of solar capacity online, producing enough electricityeach year to power more than 30,000 homes.

Ontario has saved over 1,700 megawatts of electricity since 2005; enough to power more than half a million homes!

To view the report in full visit here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/77028509/Ontario-Progress-Report-2011
To view an info graph regarding the report visit here: http://stephaniepoce.carbonmade.com/projects/3806899

Hydro Power in Ontario and the Niagara Tunnel

Since 2003, more than 100 megawatts of new/refurbished water power projects have come online in Ontario - enough power for about 50,000 homes. More hydroelectric power will be added to Ontario's electricity system in the next eight years than over the previous 40 years. The main source of it is the Niagara tunnel which is being established at Niagara Falls. The four story facility will gather hydro power right at the falls. The project has employed 400 people and created $1 billion in economic benefits to the region. System lasts at least 100 years! The Niagara Tunnel will power 160,000 homes with renewable hydro power. To be finished in 2013. Read more about this project here: 

http://www.altenergymag.com/news/2012/01/19/ontario39s-niagara-tunnel-project-reaches-construction-milestone/22916#.TyJdtc1NTBw.twitter


Online petitions 

Canada is about to spend billions on new oil sands projects, pipelines, nuclear and fossil-fuel power stations, hydroelectric dams, solar projects, and wind farms. But as we prepare to generate more energy, it makes sense to save energy first. To support a conservation of energy first plan, sign this online petition here: 


http://saveecoenergy.ca/save-energy-first


Lead Now has a petition telling MNR MP Joe Oliver to put Canada's best interests before oil industry profits. (This petition is getting enormous support online.) 
http://leadnow.ca/canadas-interests


Want CBC in Waterloo Region? Call your MP! If you live in Waterloo it's MP Peter Braid at 519-746-1573 & Kitchener MP Woodworth 519-579-240


Have a great weekend folks!

Lulu :0)
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