Nanticoke station top polluter: Report

subscribe

Canada's biggest single source of greenhouse gases is Ontario Power Generation's Nanticoke coal-fired station, says a recent report.

Nanticoke's status as the country's No. 1 polluter is just one fact among a raft of new pollution data proving Canada needs tough, mandatory standards, say environment groups that compiled the numbers.

The report shows that in 2005, large industries across the country emitted more than 4 billion kilograms of pollutants that cause cancer, respiratory ailments, smog and acid rain. Most went up smokestacks into the air.

They also produced 279 million tonnes of greenhouse gases – identified by many international studies as the source of climate change.

Emissions of a few substances were lower than in previous years, but most were up. For some – particularly pollutants that produce smog and acid rain, or lead to lung ailments – the increase is substantial, the report says.

Canada's current pollution rules are so weak they might as well not exist, said Joseph Castrilli of the Canadian Environmental Law Association, one of two groups that compiled the report through their joint PollutionWatch website.

Regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act set air quality standards for the entire country, but don't trigger any action, Castrilli said in an interview.

"It's as if people say, `The standards would be a nice thing to achieve if it were possible.' "

The targets are weak and voluntary, said Aaron Freeman of Environmental Defence, the other partner in PollutionWatch.

The report is based on emissions calculations submitted by large industries and electrical utilities to Environment Canada's National Pollutant Release Inventory and its Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Program.

For greenhouse gases, it includes the 332 sources that emit more than 100,000 tonnes a year: Those few accounted for more than 35 per cent of Canada's total.

For toxic and smog pollutants, about 8,600 emitters reported to NPRI.

Among the provinces, Alberta and Ontario once again ranked first and second as worst polluters.

While Nanticoke, on Lake Erie, was the top polluter, Alberta tar sands operations and coal-fired generating stations took seven of the 10 spots among the biggest sources.

Inco's nickel smelter, near Sudbury, was one of the top sources of toxic emissions, at 197 million kilograms.

The federal rules are under review by two parliamentary committees, including one overhauling the Conservative government's Clean Air Act, unveiled last fall to widespread criticism.

Related News

Enbridge Insists Storage Hub Lives On After Capital Power Pullout

Enbridge Insists Storage Hub Lives On After Capital Power Pullout

ALBERTA - Enbridge Inc., a Canadian energy giant, is digging its heels in on its proposed carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in Alberta. This comes despite the recent withdrawal of Capital Power, a major potential emitter that was expected to utilize the CCS technology. Enbridge maintains the project remains viable, but questions linger about its future viability without a cornerstone anchor.

The CCS project, envisioned as a major carbon capture hub in Alberta, aimed to capture emissions from industrial facilities and permanently store them underground. This technology has the potential to play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas…

READ MORE
china coal station

Only one in 10 utility firms prioritise renewable electricity – global study

READ MORE

canada solar future

'That can keep you up at night': Lessons for Canada from Europe's power crisis

READ MORE

electricity meter

During this Pandemic, Save Money - How To Better Understand Your Electricity Bill

READ MORE

The Haves and Have-Nots of Electricity in California

READ MORE