Saturday, May 26, 2012 — Mostly Cloudy 17°C
City

vidTO: Stop the Plant?

Posted by Jerrold Litwinenko / October 11, 2006

5 Comments


[ click video to watch | running time = 8mins ]

Last month we learned of the deal that was passed to green-light the construction of a new Portlands Gas-fired Energy Plant near Cherry Beach.

Here's what we know for sure - we need power, and it has to come from somewhere. While building a new plant to provide more energy seems like a simple solution, a number of politicians and concerned citizens disagree, and feel that conservation and other more environmentally sound sources should first be explored.

Conducting an official Environmental Assessment (EA) prior to the approval of the new gas-fired seems logical to me, and would be worth the cost.

Watch the video and decide for yourself, and if you stumble upon any sources of "Start the Plant" campaigns, please send them our way so we can show the other side of this issue.

Links:
Stop The Portlands Power Plant
Portlands Energy Center

Discussion

5 Comments

Sort By Oldest First / Newest First

Subscribe

Ideal Pragmatist / October 11, 2006 at 06:10 pm
user-pic
This is a classic problem. Big governments love big projects, because, ultimately they reap big political paybacks. Nevermind that Torontonians could conserve 10-30% without breaking a not-so-air-conditioned sweat, and could improve local air quality in doing so. We need to elect politicians who can think small.
Reply
Mark Dowling / October 11, 2006 at 09:09 pm
user-pic
My problem with all this is that too many assumptions are being made about how much or how little power Toronto will need.

For example: given that the subway will go at least to Steeles, the SRT replacement by larger cars and streetcar plans for the Portlands mean that power consumption by transit will only increase, not decrease. This is an increased power demand which will be counterbalanced by residential conservation but will it be enough?
Reply
jerrold / October 11, 2006 at 09:50 pm
user-pic
Knowing how much power Toronto uses should allow us to predict how much we'll need as the city grows. These numbers should readily available, but my quick search came up empty.

I did find this <a href="http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=english.electricity";>interesting page</a> that shows some numbers for Ontario. See the blue box onthe top right.

How much we REALLY need is likely a far more difficult number to figure out.

Reply
wabler / October 12, 2006 at 12:09 pm
user-pic
SeeThe David Suzuki Foundation site on gas fired power plants - <a href="http://tinyurl.com/fge72";>http://tinyurl.com/fge72<;/a> Do you want to believe a scientist's point of view about danger to health from fine particulate pollution caused by such a plant, especially for asthmatics? Or do you want to believe McGuinty�s "health" minister George Smitherman who claims that a gas fired power plant is "clean energy"? And they refuse to do a full environmental assessment. We don't need it!! There are green alternatives and conservation measures that are easy to accomplish with the right commitment. Here are a couple to start with - Turn the night lights off downtown - save thousands of birds as well as much wasted electricity. Boycott businesses that spill air conditioned air through open doors - but first go in and tell them why. There are so many ways. We can be so much better!! STOP THE PLANT!!!
Reply
Monica / October 14, 2006 at 05:13 pm
user-pic
With all the information coming at us, regarding global warming and climate change, it can't be argued that the greenhouse gases emitted by this plant, to provide us energy, will be worth the cost to our planet and our childeren's world. There are sooo many other alternatives that can provide energy to Toronto that won't cost $730++ million to implement. Let's seriously take a look at the options we have that won't jeopardize our future. A full environmental assessment, we should insist on it!! It's our city and our waterfront...If we make noise the government will listen.
Reply

Add a Comment
Other Cities: Vancouver – Montreal