Toronto - Members of the Green Energy Act Alliance, a coalition of
leading environmental groups, industry associations, farmers, First
Nations and labour groups welcomed the government's announcement today
that four coal units will be closed early. The Alliance is confident
that renewable energy can easily make up the difference.

"This is really exciting news for the environment and the future of
Ontario's green energy economy. The closure of the coal plants should
open up capacity on the grid system to take an additional 2,000 MW of
renewable energy," said Deb Doncaster, executive director of Ontario's
Community Power Fund who headed the successful campaign for the Green
Energy Act.

Community groups, including energy co-ops, Aboriginal groups and local
organizations, have approximately 400 MW of renewable energy projects in
the pipeline that could easily be built to make up the shortfall from
the coal plants.  "Each MW of community power will generate ~$208,000 of
retained earnings for Ontario's Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
communities," Doncaster said.

The Alliance praised the Ontario government and its affiliates, such as
the Ontario Power Generation, for continuing to show leadership and move
forward the evolution from fossil fuels to renewables.

"Such a transformation requires the participation of all Ontario
institutions and residents. People want to become players in the
renewable energy sector, whether that is by installing solar panels on
the roofs of their homes and community centre or by investing in wind
farms," said Kristopher Stevens, executive director of the Ontario
Sustainable Energy Association. "The Green Energy Act offers everyone,
from OPG to Ontario citizens, real incentives to become green power
producers."

Polls continue to show that Ontario residents want the government to do
more to address climate change. This includes shutting dirty coal plants
as well as developing more renewable energy.

"With the world set to gather in Copenhagen in December to chart a new
course to fight global warming, this leadership from Ontario is decisive
and perfectly timed.  It sets a positive example that all governments
can follow.  We congratulate the Ontario government for this leadership
and urge even further action to shift Ontario towards non-polluting
energy sources as soon as possible," said Dr. Rick Smith, executive
director of Environmental Defence, a member of the Green Energy Act
Alliance.