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Dalton & Dave tout green energy jobs in the Sault

NEWS RELEASE DAVID ORAZIETTI - LIBERAL PARTY CANDIDATE FOR SAULT STE. MARIE ************************* Orazietti promotes Esaar Steel's work in the green energy sector Provincial Liberal Plan protects local jobs and strengthens Sault Ste.
DavidOhPremierEssar

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI - LIBERAL PARTY CANDIDATE FOR SAULT STE. MARIE ************************* Orazietti promotes Esaar Steel's work in the green energy sector

Provincial Liberal Plan protects local jobs and strengthens Sault Ste. Marie's economy

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - David Orazietti was joined today at Essar Steel Algoma Inc. by Premier Dalton McGuinty to discuss the company's operations in manufacturing 100 percent made-in-Ontario steel towers for wind farms that are shifting the province to clean sources of renewable energy.

“Our leading edge renewable energy strategy is transforming Sault Ste. Marie into the green energy capital of North America and building a stronger more diversified economy by supporting jobs at Essar Steel Algoma and creating high quality, well-paying jobs at new companies, such as Heliene Canada solar panel manufacturing plant,” said Orazietti. “In addition to positioning the Sault at the forefront of the rapidly growing green energy economy, the provincial Liberal platform has a solid and sustainable plan to build on the environmental protections that are improving public health as we continue to close coal-fired power generators.”

Essar Steel Algoma and its employees are directly benefiting from the Province's landmark Green Energy Act with an increase in orders to supply steel for companies like Canwea, Siemens, General Electric and Vestas.

Essar recently provided 4,600 metric tonnes of steel plate, valued at over $3.5 million for 27 steel towers that will be used at Southern Ontario’s Point-aux Roches wind farm, which is expected to produce 49 megawatts of clean, renewable energy, which is enough to power more than 16,000 homes.

The Liberal Platform is also making the Northern Industrial Electricity Rate Program (NIERP) permanent.

The cost saving plan provides electricity rebates of two cents per kilowatt-hour, which is equivalent to savings of up to 25 percent on energy costs.

The program is delivering $55.9 million in savings that is helping protect over 4000 local jobs at Essar Steel Algoma, Tenaris Tubes and Flakeboard Company Ltd.

The province has introduced an energy conservation program for the region's largest industrial companies, which will reduce energy costs, increase competitiveness and help to preserve more jobs in Sault Ste. Marie.

It has also facilitated the $135 million co-generation project to further reduce Essar Steel's energy costs.

In addition to supporting workers at Essar, the province has invested $16.5 million in the Huron Central Railway to upgrade the rail line and protect local jobs.

“Our electricity cost saving measures are helping our large local companies maintain their competitive advantage while also protecting jobs as our conservation programs continue to reduce the overall cost of generating energy for both residents and businesses,” said Orazietti. “We are focused on reducing energy costs for individuals and families, which is why we created a permanent Northern Ontario Energy Credit and increased the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit that, when combined with the new provincial Clean Energy Benefit, provides substantial energy cost savings for northerners.”

In addition to the province's support for local industry, it is also proving energy rebates and tax credits for Northern residents, small to medium-sized Northern businesses, seniors and low to middle-income earning families that include:

- Clean Energy Benefit reducing all Ontarians electricity bills by 10 percent of the total monthly bill estimated annually at approximately $150 per household, which came into effect January 1, 2011

- $1.3 billion annually Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC) assisting 2.8 million Ontarians, including 740,000 seniors

- $35 million annually new permanent Northern Ontario Energy Credit, which is available to approximately half of all Northern Ontario residents, up to $200 per family and up to $130 for individuals

- $11.8 billion in tax relief over three years to Ontario families and single individuals, including personal income tax reductions

- Transition payments totaing $1,000 for families, including senior couples, with net incomes of $160,000 or less and $300 for single individuals with adjusted net incomes of $80,000 or less.

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