Tag: bob chiarelli

Your Input: Ontario’s Long-Term Energy Plan by Sept.9 & Energy Conservation by Sept.16, 2013

This video presents “What kinds of energy are used in Ontario?”

  • The ECO (Environmental Commissioner of Ontario), Gord Miller, describes a chart from his report, Annual Energy Conservation Progress Report, Rethinking Energy Conservation in Ontario, that outlines different energy sources used by different sectors in Ontario, Canada.
  • Electricity makes up less than a quarter of our energy demand.

ECO Gord Miller’s recent blog “We could have carbon free electricity in Ontario in 2014! ” empahsized the importance of the changing global climate and Ontario’s role in global reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.

  • He also gave a realistic outlook on the interplay of the different sources of electricity generation in regard to the ‘Predicted Electricity Generation Capacity August 2014’.
  • Furthermore, Miller provided a reality check by answering the question, “Could we manage it without carbon emissions?”

Let Ontario’s Ministry of Energy know what you think their electricity planning priorities should be by participating in their short survey.

  • Ministry of Energy staff will review these survey results, which will help to inform the drafting of the final LTEP.

However, this survey is not considered a formal submission. If you want to submit your thoughts formally to the LTEP review team, please do so through the Environmental Registry.

  • In 2010, Ontario released its first Long-Term Energy Plan that set out a clear, comprehensive direction for the province’s energy future.
    • It considered all aspects of Ontario’s electricity system, including conservation, generation, transmission, distribution and emerging technologies such as energy storage, as well as Aboriginal community participation in the energy sector.
    • The plan set out the investments required to modernize and upgrade our electricity system, and included price projections for residential and industrial customers.
    • A three-year review of the Long-Term Energy Plan was contemplated when it was announced in 2010.
  • All comments received prior to September 09, 2013 will be considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry of Energy if they are submitted in writing or electronically using the form provided in this notice and reference EBR Registry number 011-9490.
    • All comments on this proposal in writing must be directed to:
      Julie Green
      Senior Policy Advisor
      Ministry of Energy
      Regulatory Affairs and Strategic Policy
      Strategic Policy Branch
      880 Bay Street
      2nd floor
      Toronto Ontario
      M7A 2C1
      Phone: (416) 326-8995
    • Please Note: All comments and submissions received will become part of the public record.

This video presents “Ontario – Ministry of Energy.”

  • “The Ministry of Energy works with many partners inside and outside of government to develop the electricity generation, transmission and other energy-related facilities that help power our economy—and to ensure that Ontario remains one of the best places in the world in which to live, work, invest and raise a family.
  • A top priority is ensuring that Ontario’s electricity needs are met in a sustainable manner.
  • Developing renewable energy sources and fostering a conservation-oriented culture are cornerstones of Ontario’s balanced plan to provide clean, and reliable energy—while encouraging the development of a clean energy economy for our future.“

Provincial Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli announced that Ontario will make conservation a top priority in energy planning.

Environmental Defence‘s Gillian McEachern delineated the following benefits of energy conservation as she praised Ontario Energy Minister’s new vision as a “bright idea.”

Continue reading “Your Input: Ontario’s Long-Term Energy Plan by Sept.9 & Energy Conservation by Sept.16, 2013”

Toronto Alerts: More Flooding & Power Outage Updates of July 9, 2013

flooding basement toronto

This is an update to my previous blog Toronto Alerts: Update on Flooding Impacts & Emergency Services July 8-9, 2013 .

City of Toronto Recent  Update: City services resuming following yesterday’s intense rainfall

  • City crews and the City’s Emergency Operations Centre have been working closely throughout the night with Toronto Hydro and the TTC to manage impacts to residents and restore services to residents as quickly as possible after yesterday’s intense rainfall.
  • Environment Canada advises that all weather warnings across the Toronto area have ended.
  • The main issue relates to a lack of supply from a Hydro One station in Toronto due to flooding.
  • Hydro One has made significant progress throughout the night to restore power to approximately 90 per cent of customers that were impacted by power interruptions caused by flooding at its Richview and Manby Transmission Stations (TS).
    • At its peak approximately 400 – 500,000 customers in the GTA  (Greater Toronto Area) were affected by the Hydro One outage yesterday.
    • Working through the night, Hydro One reconfigured its GTA electricity system to restore power to as many people as possible.
    • For this reason, the system is not yet stabilized and the potential for additional outages exists.
    • The Company is asking that people take steps today to conserve electricity and consider powering down heavy equipment such as air conditioners in order to reduce strain on the local system.

Some Cycling Matters in Toronto + Your Input on Ontario’s Cycling Strategy Until Jan.29, 2013

This video presents “sherbourne cycle track November 2012”:

  • “The City of Toronto is upgrading a number of bicycle lanes to cycle tracks
  • Cycle Tracks help keep bicycles and motor vehicles separate
  • This is the first section completed, on Sherbourne Street, between Bloor Street East and Gerrard Street East
  • Although the riding surface in this section is complete, some paint and signage have not yet been installed“

Some Cycling Matters in Toronto, Ontario, Canada:

Toronto Transportation Staff's images before construction: left image - proposed design North of Gerrard St.; right image - proposed design South of Gerrard St.
Toronto Transportation Staff’s images before construction: left image – proposed design North of Gerrard St.; right image – proposed design South of Gerrard St.

Continue reading “Some Cycling Matters in Toronto + Your Input on Ontario’s Cycling Strategy Until Jan.29, 2013”

Public Meetings on Ontario’s Proposal to Protect Urban River Valleys & Glenorchy Lands Dec.11, 13 & 18, 2012

This video presents “Celebrating 5 Years of Ontario’s Greenbelt”:

  • On February 28th, 2010 Ontario’s Greenbelt turned 5: 2005-2010!

Ontario's Green Belt Map
Ontario’s Green Belt Map

Ontario’s Greenbelt in Canada:

  • extends 325 kilometers from Rice Lake in Northumberland County to the Niagara River
  • is the world’s largest, permanently protected green space preserving prime farmland, communities, forests, wetlands, watersheds and even places to play

    • The Greenbelt includes the Oak Ridges Moraine, the Niagara Escarpment and land known as “Protected Countryside”

    • It’s a world-leading law that protects 1.8 million acres (720,000 hectares) of prime farmland and green spaces around the Greater Golden Horseshoe

    • It gives us clean water, healthy local food and $2.6 billion per year in ecological services

    • Over 90% of Ontarians agree that the Greenbelt is one of the most important contributions to the future of our province, and 93% strongly support it

  • protects environmentally sensitive land and farmland in the Greater Golden Horseshoe area from urban development

    • The Greenbelt Plan and Greenbelt boundary were established under the Greenbelt Act, 2005

    • Greenbelt Plan identifies where major urban growth cannot take place

    • The Growth Plan focuses growth where it makes sense to revitalize our urban areas, away from environmentally sensitive and prime agricultural areas

  • supports a wide range of recreational, tourism and cultural opportunities

Presently, Ontario wants to expand the Greenbelt to protect more green space across the province.

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is proposing an amendment to the Greenbelt Plan under the Greenbelt Act, 2005 that would:

Continue reading “Public Meetings on Ontario’s Proposal to Protect Urban River Valleys & Glenorchy Lands Dec.11, 13 & 18, 2012”

Ontario Gives Green Light to Link Three Cities Via the Waterloo Rapid Transit

This video gives a detailed explanation of the Waterloo Rapid Transit Plan:

On May 17, 2012, Jim Bradley the Minister of the Environment signed the “MINISTER’S NOTICE TO PROCEED WITH TRANSIT PROJECT” (Ontario Regulation 231108; SUBSECTION 12(l)(a)) allowing the Regional Municipality of Waterloo to proceed with the  Rapid Transit Project, in accordance with the applicable environmental project report, which:

  • consists of a new 36 kilometre rapid transit system, including
    • 19 kilometres of Light Rail Transit (LRT)
      • will run from the Conestoga Mall in Waterloo to the Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener
    • and 17 kilometres of adapted Bus Rapid Transit (aBRT)
      • will run from Kitchener’s Fairview Park Mall to the Ainslie Street Terminal in Cambridge

Continue reading “Ontario Gives Green Light to Link Three Cities Via the Waterloo Rapid Transit”

TTC 2012: More Popular Routes’ Services-Starts May 6; No Subway Service Between Warden & Kennedy-May 12-13; LRT Update

This video presents Transit City Light Rail Transit (LRT), a plan of both Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)  and the City of Toronto to expand rapid transit services into neighbourhoods across Toronto in Ontario, Canada:

LRT Plan for Toronto

This is an update to my previous blogs:

On April 25, 2012,the Minister’s Statement On Toronto Transit Projects was issued in response to the Metrolinx Board recommendation on transit projects in Toronto as follows:

“Earlier today the Metrolinx Board recommended a plan to get shovels in the ground on four new public transit projects in Toronto. This plan would see us deliver on all four projects by 2020, with Eglinton Crosstown and Scarborough RT moving forward later this year.

As I have stated before, our government respects the will of the city’s democratically elected councillors.  This plan reflects input from the City of Toronto based on the position adopted by Council.  In terms of next steps, the plan will now be brought forward to Cabinet.

The McGuinty government has made a firm, $8.4 billion commitment to these projects.  Our focus is on getting shovels in the ground and delivering much-needed public transit projects for the residents of Toronto.”

Transportation Minister Bob Chiarelli

Then, at the Toronto Transit Commission Meeting  on May 1, 2012, Commissioners received a detailed presentation from TTC staff on the four Light Rail Transit (LRT) projects for Toronto, resulting in the following TTC  actions:

Continue reading “TTC 2012: More Popular Routes’ Services-Starts May 6; No Subway Service Between Warden & Kennedy-May 12-13; LRT Update”

Transportation Minister Announces Sheppard East LRT is Voted by a Majority of Toronto City Council

This is an update to my previous post Expert Advisory Panel’s Reasons to Recommend Sheppard Avenue East Light Rail Transit (LRT).

“Do you support or reject the Expert Advisory Panel’s recommendations?” was a question stated in the previous blog.

Toronto City Council in Ontario, Canada, considered the report and its recommendations during a special meeting on Wednesday, March 21.

Then on Thursday, Transportation Minister of Ontario gave the answer as follows:

Continue reading “Transportation Minister Announces Sheppard East LRT is Voted by a Majority of Toronto City Council”