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2012-09-13 at 16:54

Generating station burns last piece of coal

By tbnewswatch.com
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ATIKOKAN – The process has taken more than a decade to complete, but the Atikokan Generating Station burned its last piece of coal Wednesday.

The conversion of the Atikokan plant from coal to biomass was announced in July, and is now in motion.  The project is expected to create 200 construction jobs, and the province has invested $200-million toward the changeover.   

The project is also expected to create forestry jobs, to provide the biomass fuel for the plant.  The McGuinty government plans to eliminate coal-fired generation as part of building a clean energy system in Ontario.

When it's complete near the end of 2014, the Atikokan station will deliver more than 200 megawatts of power. 

Since 2003 the province has cut the use of coal by 90 per cent.



(Thunder Bay Television)

 

 

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Comments

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woodzee says:
It may take at least 30 years for the area's fisheries and lakes to show any recovery from the fallout.
9/13/2012 5:37:17 PM
brooky says:
Have you ever fished in the Atikokon area, or the area east of it where the prevailing winds blow? It's some of the best fishing on the planet. Weak and uneducated comment.
9/13/2012 11:26:12 PM
me says:
Actually, the generating station has already done significant damage to surrounding lakes, Marmion in particular. And it had nothing to do with the smoke. Lake water was used (about 12 years ago now) to cool the generators and was discharged back into the lake. This process warmed the lake enough to disrupt the eggs (they did not stick) thus, nearly distroying the walleye population. That's why the lower end was closed for 10+ years and restocked. Unfortunately, there are still very few young walleye in the lower end due to an increase in Bass and Northern.
9/17/2012 9:05:24 AM
brooky says:
I see this as a good news story locally, but can't help but wonder why, on my Sirius radio, I hear countless commercials about clean burning coal generated power in the US.
9/13/2012 8:09:16 PM
anvil of crom says:
interesting the coal lobby must be buying Sirius air time.
no kind of hydrocarbon is totally clean, some are better then others but....
9/13/2012 11:24:52 PM
panzerIV says:
The coal companies want to keep their product being used. They are using clean coal as a term to try and win people over in debates over solar, wind etc. While using coal is much cleaner then it was before (1800-early 1900's) it still releases toxins into the atmosphere.

Its a nice spin on coal production basically. In the states it will likely never go away due to the number of jobs created in the mining, production and final stages of electricity making.
9/14/2012 8:34:37 AM
tsb says:
Coal lobby. Clean coal acctually produces a finer particular that contaminates the environment more.
9/14/2012 10:28:42 AM
Glyder says:
Woodzee, thanks for that informative comment. Brought a lot to the conversation.

Brooky, look up "clean burning coal technologies". You have google. Your seriously commenting on "commercials" that you hear? Do you really buy into commercials without doing some research?
9/14/2012 8:35:25 AM
brooky says:
My research tells me that the rest of the planet are building new, or are continuing to use and promote existing coal fired stations. And we are switching to natural gas. What does your research tell you?
9/14/2012 9:25:30 PM
ricky says:
What are you talking about fisheries and lakes taking 30 years to show any recovery? I fish in that area and it's the best fishing I've ever encountered. Sure beats any lakes around Tbay.
9/14/2012 8:44:13 AM
ThunderBayOutsider says:
Great job by the Atikokan Generating Station!!! Another example of our government doing things right!!!

As for Clean Coal, it is a myth. The Coal industry will continue to tell you it can be burning clean but there are tonnes of scientists and websites that will tell you that is just wrong. Check out this one.
9/14/2012 8:52:47 AM
Tom Sanderson says:
Great news. OPG should convert the Thunder Bay station to biomass as well. Just think of all the jobs it would create.
9/14/2012 10:06:56 AM
The Badger Mountain Hermit says:
Modern Coal burning would be no problem except for the Mercury.
9/14/2012 10:36:26 AM
Arch Stanton says:
Is Biomass actually 'Clean' ??????
9/14/2012 11:18:37 AM
anvil of crom says:
As clean as clean burning gets. Biomass ( plants) emits the Co2 it stored when it grew, as either CO2 or CO.
Biomass can be byproducts for example of the wood use industry. So whether its burns quickly or rots slowly, same effect.
9/14/2012 3:19:09 PM
woodzee says:
Nothing is clean. Seriously, if anyone bothers to study the ecological impacts from 'cradle to grave' then they would realize what really happens, rather then blindly believe paid propaganda.
9/14/2012 5:22:11 PM
lori says:
This is a great story for my hometown.

Tom Sanderson, the plant here is being converted, but to natural gas.

This is a huge investment in the region and especially Atikokan. Around $200 million.

This saved the town, there is no question about that and lots of people worked hard to make it happen including our MPP Mr. Mauro and the Mayor, Mr. Brown.

If reports are accurate, this might be the largest facility of its kind, when it is finished.

Some don't want the gov't to spend tax dollars this way. I for one think this is one of the best long term ideas around.

getting rid of coal, even if other countries are still using it, means our area and province will be less polluted. I don't know what price you put on something like that.
9/15/2012 5:45:45 AM
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