Manitoba Mortgaging the Future |
1 October 04 |
The Ontario and Manitoba governments are backing the wrong horse when it comes to massive dams and 2000 km power corridors. Ontario can meet its electricity needs less expensively and create more jobs in the province by focusing on efficiency, gas cogeneration and renewable sources. "The age of big dams is over. They inflict too much damage on the aboriginal communities and the environment. There are better ways of meeting the electricity needs of the province," said Dan McDermott, Director, Ontario Chapter, Sierra Club of Canada. Mr. McDermott pointed out that Ontario's demand for electricity in 2020 could be reduced by as much as 40% if the province approached conservation and efficiency with the same vigor it purses new traditional supply. He also asked why Ontario would be contracting for 1200 megawatts of hydro power from Manitoba, that includes building a 2000 km transmission line, when it just turned down 4100 megawatts of renewable energy that entrepreneurs are eager to build. "Manitoba Premier Gary Doer and Ontario's Dalton McGuinty and their governments are the Luddites in this debate not the environmentalists. We are calling for the deployment of new technology, new concepts and new opportunities. They have their heads turned backwards attempting to mortgage the future to maintain the past," said Mr. McDermott. View the Sierra Club of Canada website Source: Sierra Club of Canada
|
|
