Ontario electricity users are on the hook for more than $700 million in extra fees because of the McGuinty government’s decision to move a gas-fired generator out of Oakville, says an energy consultant.
Provincial officials say that number is much too big.
However, one provincial source, who did not want to be named, concedes that the cost of moving the plant from Oakville to the site of the Lennox generating station near Bath, 210 kilometres east of Toronto, is $220 million more than the $40-million cost acknowledged by the province to date.
Energy consultant Bruce Sharp, who pegs the cost of the move at $700 million, says earlier estimates haven’t taken into account several huge items.
Sharp says the issues require further scrutiny.
“People are saying: “Let’s get the auditor general to look at this,’ and I agree,” he said.
The office of Energy Minister Chris Bentley was sticking with the $40-million cost Wednesday, and insisting that “the new plant will be an important part of Ontario’s energy mix.”
more
http://www.thestar.com/business/art...nt-cancellation-costs-ballooning-says-****yst
Provincial officials say that number is much too big.
However, one provincial source, who did not want to be named, concedes that the cost of moving the plant from Oakville to the site of the Lennox generating station near Bath, 210 kilometres east of Toronto, is $220 million more than the $40-million cost acknowledged by the province to date.
Energy consultant Bruce Sharp, who pegs the cost of the move at $700 million, says earlier estimates haven’t taken into account several huge items.
Sharp says the issues require further scrutiny.
“People are saying: “Let’s get the auditor general to look at this,’ and I agree,” he said.
The office of Energy Minister Chris Bentley was sticking with the $40-million cost Wednesday, and insisting that “the new plant will be an important part of Ontario’s energy mix.”
more
http://www.thestar.com/business/art...nt-cancellation-costs-ballooning-says-****yst
