ASI emissions discussed at Queen's Park today

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

************************* Orazietti questions Minister of the Environment about pollution concerns at ASI in the legislature today

Local MPP working with Ministry of the Environment and ASI to ensure steel mill meets Ontario’s tough air pollution regulations

QUEEN'S PARK - After working closely with local Ministry of Environment officials and representatives from Algoma Steel Inc. (ASI), David Orazietti, MPP questioned John Gerretsen, Ontario’s Environment Minister, about pollution concerns at the steel mill in the provincial legislature today.

“The Ontario Minister of Environment, his staff, local MOE officials, representatives from Algoma Steel and I have been working constructively for months on ensuring ASI is in compliance with our government’s tough air pollution regulations prior to plant expansion,” said Orazietti. “I am encouraged by ASI’s initiative to install temporary baghouses and we will continue working with them to encourage further environmental improvements.”

The following is a transcript of the exchange between Orazietti and Gerretsen in the legislature today:

Mr. David Orazietti: My question is for the Minister of Environment. Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a public meeting in my community regarding environmental issues and emissions from Algoma Steel. Residents in Sault Ste. Marie are concerned about the air quality in our community; they want assurances that additional pollution control mechanisms will be on facilities at Algoma steel. As the minister knows, I’ve raised the issue with him, his office and MOE staff on several occasions over the past few months. Minister, residents want to know: What steps will be taken to improve the air quality in the Sault and Area?

Hon. John Gerretsen: First of all, I want to compliment this member on being very persistent and having raised this issue with me and MOE staff on a number of occasions. I also want to compliment him on how he’s worked constructively with our MOE staff in Sault Ste. Marie and the representatives from Algoma Steel as well on ensuring that Algoma Steel is in compliance with our government’s tough air pollution regulations prior to plant expansions.

Algoma has a recent initiative to install temporary baghouses. We will continue to work with them to encourage further environmental improvements in the future. As I’ve told this member previously when he raised this concern with me, the ministry is continuing to work very closely with Algoma Steel and community organizations to ensure compliance with ministry standards and provide reports and background information to the local communities. As a matter of fact, Algoma Steel is holding two public meetings next week and I encourage people to attend, as ministry officials will be.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary.

Mr. David Orazietti: Minister, as you’re aware, Algoma Steel intends to restart blast furnace number 6. While my community certainly welcomes the proposed expansion at the steel plant, which will bring additional jobs and economic benefits, they want to know that safeguards will be in place before development occurs. This is about air quality in the immediate area. Residents deserve the opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns before this project gets any approval from the ministry. I can tell you that they will want to know that the furnace will not be restarted until appropriate pollution control mechanisms are in place and there’s a certificate of approval that will protect the air quality in the community. Will the minister ensure that if this goes ahead, the necessary pollution controls will be in place?

Hon. John Gerretsen: As the member knows, the process for certificates of approval for Algoma Steel to restart glass furnace number 6 is currently underway. I can assure him that the ministry staff will review the application to ensure that the plans for pollution control equipment will result in the improvement of air quality for area residents.

He can also be assured that regardless of the local federal member’s actions, the decision reached by the independent Ministry of the Environment officials will be based on sound scientific assessments rather than political rhetoric.

Regulation 419 sets out air quality standards that industries across Ontario must meet. Those air quality standards have been improved in 57 different ways over the last couple of years. The member can tell his community that details of the application will be posted on the EBR registry for public review and comment. Once again, I encourage everyone that is interested to submit public comments when the application is posted because the ministry will review and consider closely any comments that have been made.

[end of transcript of exchange]

As a result of a cooperative effort between the provincial government and ASI, significant measures to improve the environment in the Sault Ste. Marie area have already taken place.

Through the McGuinty government’s innovative energy program ASI signed a power purchase agreement for a 70 MW cogeneration facility in 2007.

The $135 million project will eliminate 400 tons of Nitrous Oxide.

The steel company has recently committed $70 million for emission control equipment to move the company toward compliance with Ontario’s tough air pollution regulations.

David Orazietti, MPP, Minister John Gerretsen and the provincial government will continue working with ASI to encourage further environmental improvements in the near future.

After years of neglect, the McGuinty Government has been a national leader in implementing positive environmental initiatives.

Some of the provincial initiatives and programs that have specifically benefited Sault Ste. Marie include:

- New provincial energy program to support $400 million investment by Brookfield Power - largest wind farm in Canada

- New provincial energy program to support $360 million investment by POD Solar group in 60 MW project – largest solar farm in Canada

- New provincial energy program to support $135 million capital investment by Algoma Steel in 70 MW co-gen plant – eliminating 400 tons of Nitrous Oxide

- $1.4 million for Sault Ste. Marie and Region Conservation Authority for water protection

- $557,000 project to help clean-up St. Marys River.

*************************