Broad coalition formed

Two coalitions to oppose the construction of the Portlands Energy Centre have formed, and now appear to have combined.

A coalition to oppose the construction of the Portlands Energy Centre was created at a meeting of community-group representatives on Thursday, February 16. This coalition was created as a broad umbrella group specifically so that it could embrace existing alternative plans: both those that were for and those that were against a smaller plant on the same site.

At this first meeting, two dozen representatives of a dozen associations and community advocacy groups agreed on the following four principles:

1. The 550 MW gas-fired generator known as the Portlands Energy Centre and proposed by the Province must be stopped.
2. Residents of the City of Toronto must be engaged in a meaningful discussion of alternatives.
3. The primary response must be demand reduction.
4. Harm reduction (to environment and human health) should be the measure used to compare competing alternatives.

Councillor Paula Fletcher held a meeting in opposition to the Portlands Energy Centre on Wednesday, February 22. At this meeting, the supporters of the smaller plant agreed to broaden their coalition to include all who are opposed to the large plant being pushed by the province.

Given that the steering committee formed at the February 22 meeting significantly overlaps with the steering committee formed at the February 16 meeting, it looks very much like the coalitions are coalescing.