The key conclusions from this new working paper from SEI are as follows. The full paper is available at http://sei.info.yorku.ca/files/2012/12/Green-Jobs-and-Renewable-Energy-July-28-20131.pdf. Comments welcome until August 30, 2013 to marksw at yorku.ca. Proponents of renewable energy initiatives like the Ontario FIT program …
Incubating Disaster: The Lac Megantic Rail Tragedy – Published in the Ottawa Citizen July 24, 2013. Montreal Gazette July 26th, 2013, Edmonton Journal July 27, 2013
Students of major disasters often talk of the concept of ‘disaster incubation’ – a period of cumulating failures on the part of operators and regulators which eventually overwhelm even-multilayered safety systems and lead to tragic outcomes. No better term could …
Re: Nuclear power as “emission-free” energy. Letter to the Editor, Published in the Globe and Mail July 1, 2013
June 28, 2013 The Editors The Globe and Mail 444 Front Street Toronto, Ontario Re: Nuclear power as “emission-free” energy. Two recent articles in the Globe (“McGuinty’s green energy ‘vision’ starts to fade” and “Ontario gets two nuclear options”) have …
What lessons should Ontario draw from the gas-plant cancellation scandal? – Published in the Ottawa Citizen May 13, 2013
The unfolding saga of the McGuinty government’s decision to cancel, at an apparent cost approaching $600 million, two natural gas-fired power plants in Mississauga and Oakville is opening a series of questions about the province’s approach to planning and managing …
Re: “NIMBYism, ideological myopia are behind scandal” Letter to the Editor, Toronto Star, April 16, 2013
April 16, 2013 The Editors The Toronto Star 1 Yonge St. Toronto, Ontario Dear Sirs Re: “NIMBYism, ideological myopia are behind scandal” Martin Cohn’s nostalgia for the good old days of Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) predecessor Ontario Hydro’s experience …
Letter to the Editor: “Tory cuts to hit food inspection agency, Aboriginal Affairs” Published in the Globe and Mail April 8, 2013
April 5, 2013 The Editors The Globe and Mail 444 Front St. W. Toronto, Ontario Re: “Tory cuts to hit food inspection agency, Aboriginal Affairs” April 5, 2013. Dear Sir/Madam, April 2013: Federal report on the impact of cuts …
Ontario Must Turn Renewed Energy Conservation Commitment into Action: SEI Report
The Government of Ontario’s February 2013 Speech from the Throne recognized that “conservation is the cheapest source of energy available,” and stated that “Ontario will continue to be a leader in smart-grid technology and energy conservation.” In this context the …
Re: Report to highlight drop in pollutants – Letter to the Editor, Globe and Mail, February 15, 2013
February 15, 2013 The Editors The Globe and Mail 444 Front St. Toronto, Ontario Dear Sir/Madam Re: Report to highlight drop in pollutants (February 15). While reported emissions of pollutants in Canada may be down, these trends have nothing to …
Re: “Small but nimble consumer advocate” Letter to Editor, Toronto Star, January 31, 2013
January 31, 2013 The Editors The Toronto Star 1 Yonge St. Toronto, Ontario Dear Sir/Madam Re: “Small but nimble consumer advocate” At heart of the government service delivery model that Tony Dean endorses (January 31, 2013) is the delegation …
Ontario’s New Premier: Implications for Energy and Environmental Policy.
The selection of Kathleen Wynne at Ontario’s premier-designate at yesterday’s Ontario Liberal Party convention may mark an important watershed in the evolution of energy, environmental and natural resources policy in the province. The government’s direction in these areas had seemed …