Full steam ahead for Canadian power projects

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The Ontario government is planning to bolster the province’s long-term energy stocks by refurbishing nuclear plants, and introducing additional gas-fired plants and wind turbines as part of its Integrated Power Supply Plan. Nearly every province in Canada also plans to increase their supply of energy. Many are banking on their ability to sell the power to global markets:

• British Columbia - Currently operates 30 electricity producing dams, producing 15% over required needs for the province, with plans for more.
• Alberta - Lobbyists are pushing new nuclear facilities to offset the massive energy cost of the Tar Sands - destined to be the largest source of new crude by 2010.
• Saskatchewan - Provincial government has passed motions to consider nuclear power development as a way to support its uranium industry - the largest supplier to the US.
• Newfoundland - Construction of the $10-billion Lower Churchill Hydro project will pump power through Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia for sale to the US market.
• Quebec - in the process of bringing 6 hydroelectric generating dams online in the province, while connecting power lines with Ontario.

Provinces continue to spend billions of dollars on new energy projects, citing the need now to build independent power for their futures. Jack Gibbons, President of the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, disagrees with this. Gibbons joins us on this week’s Living at the Barricades to discuss the advantages provinces like Ontario and Quebec in working together to produce energy instead of going it alone.

Terry Backer, Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives and Long Island Soundkeeper, also talks about the ways Canada’s global sales job is harming our environment, at home and abroad.

Music on this week’s show:

Secret World - Peter Gabriel
Digging in the Dirt - Peter Gabriel
Come Talk to me - Peter Gabriel

Listen to the show:
Listen to this week’s show online (right-click to download).
Subscribe to the Living At the Barricades Podcast via iTunes