Peter Kent says "high end" emission targets for coal power necessary

SASKATOON - Coal-fired power plants got more regulatory breathing room than expected to release greenhouse gases Wednesday, something federal Environment Minister Peter Kent says is necessary to protect Canada's power supply.
 
The final regulations for coal-powered plants, released Wednesday, stipulate they can emit no more than 420 tonnes of greenhouse gases per gigawatt hour of electricity generated.
 
This number is significantly higher than the 375 tonnes per gigawatt hour Kent proposed in earlier draft regulations released in August.
 
While admitting the new rules are "at the high end" of the 360 to 425 tonne per gigawatt hour range he considered, Kent said the decision was made to avoid putting the "consuming public at risk of inadequate power supply."
 
"That 375 ... would have been applicable only if, in the coal-fired electricity sector, plants operated at a steady productivity," Kent said. "In reality, plants go up and down in the generation of energy depending on demand."
 
Power plants simply could not satisfy the demand for power and meet more stringent emissions regulations at the same time, Kent said.
 
Critics lined up to slam the difference between the draft and final regulations.
 
The Sierra Club accused Kent of further relaxing "already grossly inadequate regulations."
 
"Kent’s announcement is a either a bad joke or an insult to the intelligence of Canadians. It’s amazing he can make these announcements with a straight face," John Bennett, executive director of Sierra Club Canada, said in a news release.

The Pembina Institute said coal-fired power plants represent seven of Canada's top 10 polluters.
 
"Feasible alternatives exist today, making the electricity sector a win-win for progress on our climate and clean-air commitments," said policy analyst P.J. Partington.

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