PAGE 8, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1980, WHITBY FREE PRE5 Report fromi Queen's Park By GEORGE ASHE. MPP (PC-DURHAM WEST) Since Ontario presently purenases close to 80 per cent of its energy needs from other provinces or countries, it is the belief of the Provincial Government that a sound energy policy must be based on obtaining the energy we need from a number of different sources. In other words, we must not put all our eggs in one bastket. There is no doubt that coal will play an impor- tant role in this strategic energy planning. The importance of coal to Ontario has increased significan- tly since 1973 when the OPEC nations first flexed their muscles. With the prospect of insecure supplies of crude oil, at every increasing prices, the rush was on to find alternatives to foreign oil. Coal was one of the first beneficiaries of the search for other forms of energy. Ontario consumes 55 per cent of all the coal used in Canada, and this is mainly used by Ontario Hydro and the steel com- nanie Traditionally both have imported most of their coal SS from the United States. Hydro produced 28% of its electricity from coal in 1979, and over the last few years has been diver- sifying its source of supply with coal from Western Canada. Most of Hydro's coal-fired plants were designed for U.S. coal, which has a higher energy content than Canadian coal. However Canadian coal has a lower sulpher content, and is thus environmentally safer. Hydro is attempting to get the best of both types of coal by blending them, although even this approach does have limitations. Also, because of the greater distance involved for transportation, Western Canada coal costs at least 30 per cent more than its U.S. counterpart. But the higher price is offset to some extent by the fact that Hydro feels it is important to secure an alternate source of supply, and as Canadians, the Government of Ontario feels it is impor- tant for us, as a major consumer of coal, to open up our markets to Canadian coal. Nova Scotia is another supplier of Ontario coal demands. Their thermal coal is similar to American coal and can be readily substituted in Hydro stations. Transportation distan- ces and methods also mean that Nova Scotian coal could be landed in Ontario at competitive prices. However, in recent years, Nova Scotia hasn't had enough coal to penetrate the On- tario market on a continuing basis. With the development of the new mines on a larger scale, this situation could change. At present Ontario does not produce any coal, but a large deposit of lignite has been identified in the James Bay lowlan- ds, and there is a possibility of further discoveries in the same area. We are presently working on technology to mine this coal efficiently, and the Government of Ontario is encouraging private exploration and development in the area. There are environmental considerations in using coal that must be taken into consideration. Sulphur oxide emissions produced by burning coal may contribute to acid rain, and there is no doubt control of this is high on Hydro's list of priorities for environmental protection. The future of coal use in Ontario depends to a large extent on how well we handle the environmental concerns. Some of the answers may well be found as a result of the in- tensive research into new coal technologies that is taking place around the world. At the same time, such research may also provide the answer to greater coal use by making it available in new forms. Researchers are investigating methods to remove sulphur and clean the coal near the source. In one of these projects, Ontario Hydro is co-sponsoring a pilot plant test at the Lakeview Generating Station in Mississauga, along with Stelco. Their aim is to achieve what they describe as "intensively physically clean coal". When it comes to predicting the future of coal in Ontario even twenty years from now, it is a difficult task. The energy scene is changing so rapidly these days, it is difficult to predict what will happen next year, let alone half a century from now. However, Government and business alike must plan ahead. We must look to all the available evidence, review what has happened in the past and use our best judgment to determine what course of actio to pursue in the future. Coal will rank as a vital substitute for oil, and an important part of Ontario's total energy picture. Corridor Capers By MARY MCEACHERN School break is here and many activities have been planned for the children. Saints Roller Skating Centre at 901 Burns Street in Whitby, has special events for the students. The rink has stringent rules that are strictly enforced. It is an enter- tainment place that your children will be well looked after. Let the kids roller skate and have fun._I believe the Y also has many holiday programs, but if the kids are still bored, there's always ironing at our house, just send them over. ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS The Corridor Area Ratepayers Association will hold their annual meeting and election of officers on Tuesday, the 29th day of April. The meeting will be held at the Dr. Robert Thor- nton School at 8:00 p.m. Remember the date and plan to at- tend. K-MART EXPANSION The expansion to the K-Mart Plaza is still a bone of conten- tion. Everything has now been resolved except the proposed location of the restaurant. The planning department seem to feel that a restaurant within 120 feet of people's homes is per- fectly acceptable. This is a subjective comment generally delivered by our planning staff concerning most any proposed development. Planners are a strange breed of people. They are extremely brilliant but seem to lack the ability to foresee the consequen- ces of their planning. Lines drawn of paper always look good, but when put into effect can cause undue hardship, e.g. the Don Valley Expressway to name just one. I wonder if planners had their life savings invested in a home and a restaurant was proposed for their doorstep, if their comments would be the same? If the proposed licensed steak and burger restaurant is as good as the developer claims, moving its location nearer to the unused parking area by Dominion would have no adverse af- fect on the volume of business. Let us wait and see how our Council members will ded with the situation. WELCOME HOME Welcome home to Marion Buchanan, who enjoyed a lengthy vacation with her parents in New Brunswick. Good to have you home again. Call with news items for the column. 725-8967. 125TH ANNIVERSARY 1855-1980 THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF WHITBY NOTICE WARBLE FLY INSPECTION AND SPRAYPROGRAM NOTICE is hereby given that commencing the first day of April, 1980, and ending the 31st day of May, 1980, the Cor- poration of the Town of Whitby will be conducting its an. nual warble fly inspection and spray program. During this perlod, inspectors appointed by the Town will be inspecting cattie to identify grub infested animais and treat them ac- cordingly. Any owner of cattie in the Town of Whitby is therefore requested to submit the following information to the office of the undersigned by no later than March 31st, 1980:- 1. The name, address and telephone number of the cattle owner; 2. The number of cattie; and, 3. The location of the cattie between April lst, 1980 and May 31st, 1980. Wm. H. Wallace, A.M.C.T., C.M.C., Clerk-Administrator, The Corporation of the Town of Whitby, 575 Rossland Road East, Whitby, Ontario