October 14, 2005
On Electricity, McGuinty should learn from Schwarzenegger:
California to Conserve 1500 MW and net savings of US $2.7 billion while Ontario to Spend over $2 billion rebuilding old nukes to generate the same amount of power (Toronto) Today, the Toronto Environmental Alliance called on Premier McGuinty to steal an electricity policy page from California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"California has just announced its largest-ever energy conservation program, which is expected to save as much electricity as would be produced by two nuclear reactors while consumers will net savings of US $2.7 billion," said Keith Stewart of the Toronto Environmental Alliance.
California's conservation programs will cost US $2.7 billion, but save the equivalent of 1500 MW of power and reduce consumers bills by US $5.4 billion. Details can be found at http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/published/news_release/49757.htm
Press reports have indicated the McGuinty government will make an announcement next week on rebuilding the two privately-operated Bruce reactors at a cost "significantly north" of $2 billion. To date, Ontario has not implemented any significant conservation programs and has even cancelled the PST rebate on energy-efficient appliances brought in by the Eves government.
"Energy conservation is the cheapest and cleanest solution to our electricity crisis," said Stewart. "Dalton McGuinty should explain to the people of Ontario why he will hand over $2 billion of rate-payers money to the privately-operated Bruce nuclear plant before having implemented any significant conservation program in this province."
Last year, the Pembina Institute delivered a report to the Ontario government on how it could reduce consumption by 40% over the next 15 years and bring green power on-line to keep the lights on and costs down while phasing out coal and nuclear power.
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For more information, contact Keith Stewart at (416) 596-0660.
