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Drummond blind to 'efficiencies' in the energy sector

There are potentially billions in savings that could help save Ontario's environment.

Toronto (17 Feb 2012) - Ontario Clean Air Alliance has pointed out that two key recommendation have been missed by the Drummond Commission report. Together these recommendations could save Ontario almost $10 billion.

Consider that Ontario's dirty coal-fired power plants are slated to be phased out entirely by the close of 2014. Currently a subsidy of $28.8 million per month is required to cover operating losses of these coal plants. 

If Ontario Power Generation would put these coal plants on standby reserve and only operate them when absolutely necessary, Ontario would save $979.2 million between now and their closure in December 2014.

Between now and 2030 the Government of Ontario is proposing to re-build the Darlington and Bruce B Nuclear Generating Stations and to build two new reactors at Darlington. Clean Air Alliance and other groups maintain that hydro power imported from Quebec as part of a nuclear-free option would be the cheaper way to go.

The cost of going forward with the nuclear plan would be up to $1.7 billion per year. However, cost overruns are typical with these projects and past experience estimates that the real costs would be more like $9 billion. Choosing a nuclear free plan would save Ontario billions of dollars that could be spent elsewhere.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE