EXPERTS PRAISE ONTARIO'S LONG-TERM ENERGY PLAN

Plan will create jobs, promote clean energy and ensure reliability

QUEEN'S PARK, ON, Nov. 23 /CNW/ - Experts from various fields, from conservation to construction, from engineers to medical professionals, praised the McGuinty Government's Long-Term Energy Plan, released this afternoon:

• "We're ecstatic. [Ontario's Long Term Energy Plan] is going to bring an awful lot of new jobs to the province." Rod Sheppard, President, Society of Energy Professionals
  
  
• "The government's commitment to creating jobs in the new clean energy economy must be applauded and today's Long-Term Energy Plan is an indication of smart planning for the future." Jason Gray, VP and Country Manager Canada, SunEdison
  
  
• "Ontario's doctors are delighted by the proposal to speed-up the coal phase-out. This will be the largest single greenhouse gas reduction project in North America and a major contribution to respiratory health." Gideon Forman, Executive Director, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
  
  
• "This is a great day for the people of Ontario on the announcement of the Long-Term Energy Plan, a clear and concrete plan that reinforces the McGuinty government's commitment to clean energy…Today I am truly proud to be an Ontarian." Kerry Adler, President and CEO of SkyPower Limited
  
  
• "I think the plan is fantastic. This government has decided to phase out coal and replace it with renewable energy - and we are a world leader because of that." Deborah Doncaster, Chair of the Green Energy Act Alliance
  
  
• "We are over the moon. We thank Minister Duguid and Ontario for bringing 21st century leadership to 21st century challenges, like endangered species habitat and electrical transmission." Anna Baggio, Director Conservation Land Use Planning, Wildlands League
  
  
• "People that work in the industry know that the infrastructure needs to be renewed. It's [Ontario's Long-term Energy Plan] going to create some opportunities to get Ontario youth involved in the electrical trade and the power line trade. And it's a great way to ensure that we're going to have a reliable system and job creation. We think it's a win-win for everybody." Alex Lolua, Director of Government Relations, IBEW Construction Council of Ontario
  
  
• "This is good news for us in the construction industry. It promises continuation of long-term work, a reason for a kid to get involved in the trades in this province and hopefully a clean reliable energy source." Jack Dowding, Executive Chairman, Power Council (IBEW)

For further information:

Andrew Teliszewsky
[email protected] 
416-325-3670