Ontario tackles US and domestic air pollution sources

Ontario's smog problems are moving north. Usually, Toronto's CN Tower and skyline are clearly visible from this vantage point on the Oak Ridges Moraine, a distance of some 30 kilometres. On June 15, during a smog advisory, the Tower and skyline disappeared and only a vague outline of Richmond Hill's church steeples could be seen, a distance of only 3 kilometres. Photo - Steve Davey

Although more than half of Ontario's smog comes from sources south of the border, Ontario has taken strong action at home to reduce emissions from major sources. The province says its plan is the most comprehensive of its kind in North America, focussing on smog and climate change-causing emissions from a variety of sources.

The Province of Ontario has:

• introduced strict air emission limits and mandatory monitoring and reporting requirements for the electricity generating sector;
• placed a freeze on the sale of all coal-fired generating plants pending an environmental review;
• implemented the new Air Quality Ontario initiative to ensure all Ontarians have early and improved access to air quality information.

Ontario Power Generation has announced it will spend a quarter of a billion dollars over the next three years to reduce emissions at three of its coal-fired plants. This environmental initiative includes the installation of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) equipment at the Nanticoke and Lambton Generating Stations and low-NO_X burners at the Lakeview Generation Station. The new equipment is expected to reduce NO_X emissions by 13,000 tonnes a year.

Ontario is also developing stringent emissions caps and has announced an expansion of mandatory emissions reporting requirements to all industrial sectors. As well, emission performance standards are being developed for all electricity sold in Ontario.

Ontario is backing its tougher rules with stronger enforcement and increased penalties. The government has announced the creation of an environmental SWAT team. As well, Ontario has introduced the highest fines and longest jail sentences in Canada for major environmental offences.

Smog and acid rain are regional issues that must be tackled through co-ordinated regional efforts. This is why Ontario intervened before US courts in support of the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) efforts to cap emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO_X) from Midwestern states. It is also why Ontario made a commitment to meet or exceed the US EPA standards for the electricity sector, once implemented.

Some facts on transboundary pollution

• Ontario's sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxide (NO_X) emissions pale in comparison to emissions from comparable US states. For every kilowatt-hour of electricity, US Midwest states such as Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois emit NO_X and SO₂ at rates three to seven times higher than Ontario Power Generation. Ontario's acid deposition and smog problems cannot be solved without substantial reductions in US emissions.
• Acid deposition and smog problems in the US are, for the most part, caused by US emissions. US states contribute more than 50% to Ontario's smog and have 217 coal-fired power plants -- while Ontario has only five.
• Ontario is more reliant on nuclear and hydraulic power generation than US states. Three-quarters of Ontario's electricity comes from hydro and nuclear power plants.
• Due to the importance of clean generation technologies in Ontario, the province's emissions per unit of electricity generated are much lower than those of nearby US states. Ontario's electricity system produced less than two grams of NO_X and SO₂ for every kilowatt-hour generated in 1998. Ohio's system produced over 10 grams. Ohio's total emissions amounted to 1,500,000 tonnes, compared to Ontario's total of 200,000 tonnes.
• Even New York produced over 300,000 tonnes of NO_X and SO₂ -- 50% more than Ontario.
• With respect to fossil-fueled generating stations, Ontario is well ahead of the US EPA in reducing SO₂ emissions that cause acid rain. The province is also committed to a further 50% reduction by 2015 to keep Ontario ahead of the US.
• It is important to note that sources of NO_X in the United States differ from those in Ontario. In the eastern half of the US, emissions from electricity generation account for 33% of total NO_X emissions. In Ontario, electricity generation accounts for less than 15% of NO_X emissions. As such, the strategies for reducing emissions need to be different.
• Ontario's coal-fired power plants meet the US Clean Air Act standards for NO_X, while clearly beating US standards for SO₂.
• Critics comparing US and Ontario power plants often forget to mention that the US SIP Call's tough standards are only in force for five months of the year.

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