Mirrored from http:\/\/www.thespec.com\/news\/ontario\/article\/263729–erin-brockovich-speaks-out-against-gas-fired-plant-in-oakville on 10 July 2012 (syndicated article also appeared in The Record, orginally at http:\/\/news.therecord.com\/printArticle\/785926)<\/p>\n
Fri Oct 01 2010 15:24:00<\/p>\n
Erin Brockovich speaks out against gas-fired plant in Oakville
\nRICH PEDRONCELLI\/AP<\/p>\n
OAKVILLE – Famed environmental activist Erin Brockovich told residents fighting plans for a natural gas-fired plant west of Toronto that they need to be a model for the world.<\/p>\n
Brockovich \u2014 who was portrayed by Julia Roberts in a film bearing her name \u2014 was paid to speak to an audience of 110 people in Oakville, Ont., who shelled out $125-a-plate for lunch and a speech.<\/p>\n
Brockovich, who usually is paid about $25,000 per speech, said she was truly impressed by the community and its fight and she compared their situation to the one in Hinkley, Calif.<\/p>\n
That’s where Brockovich exposed Pacific Gas & Electric’s poisoning of water with the toxic chemical Chromium Six, leading to a $333- million damage settlement for about 600 residents in the mid-1990s.<\/p>\n
Oakville residents are fighting the 900-megawatt plant because 11,000 homes and 16 schools are within thee kilometres of the proposed facility, and it is next to railway lines and major roads.<\/p>\n
TransCanada, which was awarded a 20-year contract a year ago to build, own and operate the plant, says today it is still in negotiations with residents to address their concerns.<\/p>\n
Brockovich’s speech came on the same day the Ontario government announced it has shut down four coal-fired units. The province hopes to replace dirty coal-fired generation with cleaner energy sources.<\/p>\n
Minister of Energy Brad Duguid says the government has been listening to residents, but adds he’s not in the position now to make a final determination on the plant.<\/p>\n
TransCanada says it expects to invest $1.2 billion in the plant, which is scheduled to start producing power by February 2014.<\/p>\n
Canadian Press<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Mirrored from http:\/\/www.thespec.com\/news\/ontario\/article\/263729–erin-brockovich-speaks-out-against-gas-fired-plant-in-oakville on 10 July 2012 (syndicated article also appeared in The Record, orginally at http:\/\/news.therecord.com\/printArticle\/785926) Fri Oct 01 2010 15:24:00 Erin Brockovich speaks out against gas-fired plant in Oakville RICH PEDRONCELLI\/AP OAKVILLE – Famed environmental activist Erin Brockovich … Continue reading