As part of Ontario''s commitment to improving air quality, Environment Minister Dan Newman announced implementation of the stringent new mandatory monitoring reporting regulation for air emissions from the electricity generating sector.
Effective May 1, the regulation requires monitoring and public reporting of the emissions of some 28 substances including sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and carbon dioxide, which contributes to smog, acid rain and climate change.
"The monitoring and reporting regulation is an important tool in the government''s effort to improve air quality and protect the health of the people of Ontario," said Newman. "Public reporting will give Ontario electricity generators an incentive to reduce their emissions."
Ministry of the Environment will also be requiring air emissions monitoring and reporting from all sectors by 2001.
The information collected is expected to assist in setting future caps on emissions, tracking progress in the fight against smog, acid rain and climate change and establish a foundation for future air quality protection measures.
Monitoring and reporting regulations for other industrial and institutional sources will be released in draft form for public consultation later this spring and will take effect in January 2001.
by Virginia Sutcliffe