Moving Forward On Coal Replacement

    McGuinty Government Cuts Harmful Greenhouse Gases Further By 2011

    TORONTO, May 16 /CNW/ -

    NEWS

    The McGuinty government has introduced strict, new limits on coal plant
emissions to ensure they're cut by two-thirds below 2003 levels by 2011.
    Ontario Power Generation will be required to limit greenhouse gas
emissions from its coal plants to 11.5 megatonnes in 2011, down from
34.5 megatonnes in 2003. OPG will also be directed to show annual progress in
2009 and 2010 toward the 2011 target.
    Ontario is the only jurisdiction in North America committed to completely
eliminating coal-fired generation. Replacing coal by 2014 represents the
single largest greenhouse gas reduction in North America. Its impact will be
equivalent to taking almost 7 million cars off our roads.
    Moving forward on coal replacement is a key component of the government's
20-year plan to secure a reliable and sustainable supply of electricity for
Ontario. The plan is a balanced approach for bringing on new supply, building
a culture of conservation and generating more renewable power.

    QUOTES

    "We owe it to ourselves - and future generations of Ontarians - to switch
off coal, turn on conservation and plug in cleaner sources of electricity,"
said Energy Minister Gerry Phillips.
    "We're phasing out coal and that means less pollution in the air we
breathe," said Environment Minister John Gerretsen. "Ontario is using more
renewable sources of energy to tackle climate change, and consumers can help
by using electricity wisely."

    QUICK FACTS

    -   The closure of the coal-fired Lakeview Generating Station in
        2005 eliminated emissions equivalent to taking 500,000 cars off
        Ontario roads
    -   Closing coal plants by 2014 will be the single biggest contributor
        (44 per cent) to reducing Ontario's greenhouse gas emissions as part
        of its Go Green climate change plan
    -   Ontario's Go Green climate change plan will make Ontario a leader on
        the environment by fighting climate change, greening the economy,
        tackling the environmental causes of illness, and providing stronger
        protection for the natural environment

    LEARN MORE

    Read more about Go Green, Ontario's action plan on climate change
    (www.gogreenontario.ca).

    Learn about Ontario's plan to replace coal-fired power with cleaner,
    greener electricity by visiting the Renewable Energy section at
    www.energy.gov.on.ca

    Learn more about Ontario's 20 year power plan
   
(www.energy.gov.on.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=english.news&back=yes&news_id=173&b
ackgrounder_id=131)

    View the regulation at www.ebr.gov.on.ca by entering registry number
    010-3530

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For further information: Alan Findlay, Minister's Office, (416)
327-3546; Sylvia Kovesfalvi, Communications Branch, (416) 327-4334