Energy minister weighs in on controversial gas plant

SooToday.com has received the following letter to the editor:

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This week, the Auditor General released his report on the Mississauga gas plant relocation.

I would like to thank the Auditor for his work, and accept his findings.

The Auditor has provided Ontarians with a longer-term assessment than the figure announced last year, by estimating costs and savings over 20 years.

It is clear that the negotiations between Greenfield and the Ontario Power Authority on the plant’s relocation were difficult and complex. 

Overall, the OPA has said it believes that the new facility will help meet Ontario’s electricity needs at a commercially reasonable price.

We listened to the residents of Mississauga by relocating the plant.  

During the last election campaign, the PCs and NDP made the same promise.

It’s in everyone’s best interest that Ontarians have a full understanding of the relocation.

Our government is committed to being open and transparent.

That’s why we broadened the mandate of a legislative committee to look at every step of the process, and asked the Auditor General to expand the scope of his work.

Now that we have the Auditor’s report, it’s time to move forward and improve how we site and build future energy projects – ensuring we get it right the first time.

It’s my hope that all parties in the legislature will work together to provide valuable advice on how to improve our siting process.

We have come a long way since 2003.

From the days of blackouts and brownouts, we’ve built a clean, modern, and reliable energy system that Ontarians can count on.

As the Minister of Energy I am going to continue that work.

- Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Energy

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