Government committed

Your editorial of May 9 (Why a quick commitment is needed on nuclear power) neglected to mention the real action that the McGuinty government has taken to ensure Ontario has the clean, sustainable and affordable electricity it needs. Since taking office, the McGuinty government has brought more than 3,000 megawatts of new generation online, and approximately 10,000 megawatts of new generation is in development.

Still, there is a lot more to be done, since between now and 2025, Ontario must address an electricity supply gap of 24,000 megawatts - equal to almost 80% of the generation we inherited when we came to government - if we are to ensure Ontario continues to grow and prosper.

So how have we got almost half-way there in only four years?

Ontario has brought nuclear generating facilities at Pickering back online.

We've arranged to have Bruce Power refurbish dormant units at its nuclear facilities.

We've taken Ontario from being a laggard to a a NorthAmerican leader in wind power.

We're digging a new tunnel at Niagara Falls to allow us to maximize power from that very valuable asset.

There are new natural gas generators operating and being built in Ontario.

And, because it's better and cheaper to save a kilowatt than it is to generate one, we've taken energy conservation more seriously than any Ontario government has done in decades.

Your editorial mentioned nuclear at some length. As the Ontario Power Authority develops Ontario's longterm electricity supply plan - the first such plane the province has had in a generation - nuclear is a key part of the mix. As a result, both Ontario Power Generation and Bruce Power are going through the necessary steps to build new reactors to replace retiring units. They're both acting now to get the jump on the 10-year challenge you identified, a challenge that includes national environmental and safety approvals as well as ambitious engineering timetables.

But, recognizing that nuclear can only be a part of Ontario's mix, just as it is now, I instructed OPA to limit the installed in-service capacity of nuclear to its current level of 14,000 megawatts. Consistent with this approach of achieving a diverse supply we're well on our way to ensuring that 10% of Ontario's generation comes from renewable sources like wind and solar by 2010. We're working with other provinces to tap clean and exciting hydroelectric opportunities to our east and west. In short, if it's clean, green and affordable, we're on it.

We are just talking about building Ontario's electricity system. We're doing it.

Dwight Duncan Minister of Energy