Ontario's peak demand for electricity fell by 4.7% during the summer of 2007 compared to the summer of 2006. Summer is the peak period for electricity use in Ontario, with air conditioners fueling demand.

In 2007, electricity demand in the province reached a peak of 25,737 megawatts (MW) on June 26th. The 2006 peak of 27,005 MW occurred on August 1st of that year.

Want to know more about where the parties stand on clean energy, climate change, and a host of other environmental issues? Come out to the Environmental Priorities debate tonight:

Place: Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles St. W., (one block east of the Royal Ontario Museum, one block south of Bloor St.)

Time: 7-8:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

The party representatives are:
Liberal Party: Donna Cansfield, Minister of Transportation and former Energy Minister in the McGuinty government

The Environmental Priorities Coalition (www.prioritiesforontario.ca) is hosting an election debate on some of the most critical issues of our time, including phasing out coal and developing a clean energy system. Come out and hear for yourself what the major parties have to say on issues like clean air and water, green spaces, wilderness protection and eliminating toxics and waste.

When: Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Time: 7 - 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)

Progressive Conservative and Liberal candidates support Hydro One's proposal to build a new $635 million high-voltage transmission line from the Bruce Nuclear Station to the Town of Milton, according to a survey released by the Ontario Clean Air Alliance today.

The proposed Bruce Line is supported by Progressive Conservative candidates Bill Murdoch (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound) and Rob Morley (Huron-Bruce); and Liberal candidates Selwyn Hicks (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound) and Betsy Hall (Dufferin-Caledon).

NDP and Green Party candidates in East Toronto ridings are opposed to the proposed East Toronto Transmission Line according to the results of a questionnaire released by the Ontario Clean Air Alliance today.

The leaves may be starting to turn, but the bad air season is still with us. Ontario has now had 50 smog days for the year, and we are steadily closing the gap on the horrendous spring, summer and fall of 2005 when the province recorded more than 60 smog days in total. With muggy weather in the forecast for this week, we'll once again have Ontario's No. 1 smog recipe in action: dirty coal plants running full out to meet demand for cooling on days with poor air quality.

For a leader who likes to point to his business credentials, Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory's position on the coal phase out is quite puzzling. Mr. Tory is only willing to make a "someday" commitment to phasing out coal, yet as any experienced business person knows, having a concrete goal and a real plan of action to achieve it are keys to success.

Last week, the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) confirmed that it is still developing plans for the potential construction of the East Toronto Transmission Line through Markham, Scarborough, Leaside and Riverdale.

On Friday August 24th the McGuinty Government issued a legally binding regulation requiring the complete phase out of Ontario's four remaining coal-fired power plants by December 31, 2014. This is the most important action ever taken by the Province of Ontario to reduce air pollution and fight dangerous climate change. This victory is due to thousands of Ontarians working together to save lives and protect our planet -- so give yourself a big pat on the back.

The opportunity to entrench a coal phase out deadline in law will either be seized or missed this month. With the election countdown clock ticking, the current provincial cabinet will meet one last time on August 22nd. This will be the last chance for the government's proposed phase-out regulation to be made law. So please take a break from the beach to help us push through this important clean-air milestone: