Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, will shut down the
last of its coal plants in southern Ontario by the end of 2013,
a year ahead of schedule. This will lead to a significant
reduction in harmful emissions, cleaner air, and a healthier
environment. “When we came to government in 2003 we decided to
stop burning coal and to protect more green space to help clean
our air," says Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario. "Thanks to
the conservation efforts of Ontarians, we were able to do just
that, and today, all Ontarians can breathe a little easier.” The
early closure of Ontario’s two largest coal-fired electricity
plants, Nanticoke and Lambton, comes as a result of the
province’s improved, smarter electricity grid, increased
efficiency, strong conservation efforts and diversified supply
of clean energy. Coal-fired electricity emits high levels of
pollutants that affect human health and the environment. Clean
energy and a modern electricity system have created tens of
thousands of jobs and contribute to maki