Nanticoke station top polluter: Report


NFPA 70E Training

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 6 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$199
Coupon Price:
$149
Reserve Your Seat Today
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

IEA: Asia set to use half of world's electricity by 2025

Asia Electricity Consumption 2025 highlights an IEA forecast of surging global power demand led by…
View more

Building begins on facility linking Canada hydropower to NYC

Champlain Hudson Power Express Converter Station brings Canadian hydropower via HVDC to Queens, converting 1,250…
View more

Enbridge Insists Storage Hub Lives On After Capital Power Pullout

Enbridge Alberta CCS Project targets carbon capture and storage in Alberta, capturing emissions from industrial…
View more

Ontario to Provide New and Expanded Energy-Efficiency Programs

Ontario CDM Programs expand energy efficiency, demand response, and DER incentives via IESO's Save on…
View more

Annual U.S. coal-fired electricity generation will increase for the first time since 2014

U.S. coal-fired generation 2021 rose as higher natural gas prices, stable coal costs, and a…
View more

Electricity users in Newfoundland have started paying for Muskrat Falls

Muskrat Falls rate mitigation offsets Newfoundland Power's rate stabilization decrease as NL Hydro begins cost…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Live Online & In-person Group Training

Advantages To Instructor-Led Training – Instructor-Led Course, Customized Training, Multiple Locations, Economical, CEU Credits, Course Discounts.

Request For Quotation

Whether you would prefer Live Online or In-Person instruction, our electrical training courses can be tailored to meet your company's specific requirements and delivered to your employees in one location or at various locations.