Dalton McGuinty, before being elected Ontario premier, promised
to shut Nanticoke by 2007. He soon broke that promise and his
latest assurance that the coal plant will be closed by 2014 is just
another promise waiting to be broken. That is because the
government's strategy to phase out coal depends on it being
replaced by nuclear power, which is not reliable. During a heat
wave this summer, coal emissions increased dramatically because
reactors at Pickering and Bruce broke down, resulting in nearly 20
per cent more coal being burned.
Moreover, it takes 10 to 15 years to build a nuclear power
plant. If we don't invest in clean energy now, we will never meet
our international obligations under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.
The solution is not more coal or nuclear power but green energy:
conservation, and solar, geothermal and wind power. We have the
power. What we lack is the political will.
That's where you come in! Make the politicians pay
attention.
Take action:
Consider a clean energy future for Ontario when you cast your
vote October 10th.
HOW?
1. Tell your local candidates
-- at the doorstep, on the streets, or at all-candidates
meetings -- that you want a clean energy future. Ask them these
key questions to see if they're "clean":
a. Do you and your party support a nuclear phase-out?
b. Do you and your party support a phase-out of all coal in
Ontario by 2012?
c. Do you and your party have a plan to move Ontario to a
renewable electricity supply and meet Kyoto emissions reduction
targets?
d. Do you and your party have an aggressive conservation
strategy and targets?
2. Send an email to the party leaders.
Below is a sample email - feel free to write your own - and
the addresses of the four main Ontario political party leaders:
Dear Mr. [insert leader's name here]
I want a clean energy future for Ontario and I vote.
I will not support Ontario's outdated approach to dirty,
mega-project electricity supply. I want a modern energy plan for
Ontario that is based on 1) conservation;
2) renewable energies; and
3) local, decentralized power generation.
I want an energy plan that phases out dirty, dangerous,
unreliable and unnecessary nuclear power. And I want an earlier
phase-out of coal.
I want a clean energy future for Ontario. I know it's
doable.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
[Insert your name here]
Email addresses for leaders:
Premier Dalton McGuinty, Liberal Party of Ontario:
Send an e-message to the Premier from his website at http://www.premier.gov.on.ca/feedback/default.asp
Mr. John Tory, Progressive Conservative Party of
Ontario: Send an e-message to John Tory from the Ontario PC
website at http://www.ontariopc.com/email_john.asp or email
to info@ontariopc.on.ca
Mr. Howard Hampton, NDP Ontario: Email Howard Hampton at ndpmail@ndp.on.ca
Mr. Frank DeJong, Green Party of Ontario: Email Frank DeJong at
gpoadmin@magma.ca
3. Visit www.voteforcleanenergy.ca
4. Become an Energy Revolutionary