Thunder Bay Conversion Fact Sheet May 2012 - Ontario Power ...

Project Areas of Interest and Response Summary
The public communication and outreach program ensures that local Aboriginal communities and the Thunder Bay area stakeholders and interested
individuals are aware of the Project, have the opportunity to provide their input, and ensure issues and concerns are identified and effectively addressed
in the project development phase. Project related areas of interest identified through the outreach program to date and OPG’s responses
are summarized in the following table.
Natural Gas
Areas of Interest
Emissions to Air
Emissions to Water
Traffic Impacts
OPG Response
n Compared to coal, the fuel pathway results in reduced airborne emissions including nitrogen oxides,
sulphur dioxide and metals, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by about 45 per cent compared to
coal per unit of energy produced
n Noise: minimal because of expected low levels of operation, distance from receptors and no use of coal
handling facilities
n Runoff (precipitation) from coal pile will be eliminated with conversion to gas
n No traffic impacts for operation on natural gas
Impact on the Price of Electricity n Price of electricity in Ontario is determined by the Ontario Energy Board and the electricity market
n The cost of electricity from Thunder Bay GS is determined by cost of fuel, plant modifications and
operating expenses which will be part of the power purchase agreement with the Ontario Power
Authority
n Cost of coal and natural gas are competitive
Continued OPG economic
contribution to the
community-local economic
benefit
Impact on Natural Gas
Resources and Price
Biomass
Climate Change
Benefits/Renewable Fuel
OPG Fuel Specifications
Odour
Traffic Impacts
Emissions to Air
Emissions to Water
n Up to 100 person-years of construction work for station modifications
n Conversion will maintain jobs and economic benefits in the region and ensure power for future economic
growth
n Gas supply is forecast to be substantial and gas prices low for the foreseeable future
OPG commissioned the Pembina Institute to conduct a sustainability analysis of the supply of up to two
million tonnes per year of wood pellets from Ontario. The study found:
n The supply of biomass fuel given the study assumptions, does not result in systemic decline in forest
carbon - it meets the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) definition of
renewable
n The biomass fuel pathway is a modest source of carbon
n OPG requires biomass fuel to meet the UNFCCC definition of renewable
n Wood must be sourced from suppliers that have third party certification that forest management
practices are sustainable
n Biomass will be stored under cover therefore no odours are anticipated
n Existing roadworks capacity and infrastructure are currently capable of handling significantly higher truck/
traffic volumes. Construction traffic can be accommodated
n Compared to coal, the fuel pathway results in reduced airborne emissions including nitrogen oxides,
sulphur dioxide and metals, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions
n Noise: Reduced because of expected low levels of operation, distance from receptors
n pH (acidity/alkalinity) of effluent will be maintained within regulatory limit
For more information on the Thunder Bay Generating Station Conversion Project, visit www.opg.com; email conversion@opg.com or call
Chris Fralick, Plant Manager, Northwest Thermal at 807-625-6400.
Ontario Power Generation Inc. May 2012
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