Coal plant conversion on hold.

• Position: AROUND THE NORTH

Plans to convert the coal-fired Thunder Bay Generating Station to natural gas have been postponed by the Ontario government.

The Nov. 1 announcement by Energy Minister Chris Bentley provoked "anger and frustration" from the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA).

Bentley said the postponement, not project cancellation, will save close to $400 million. The minister later told local media that the conversion may not be necessary with new transmission capacity being added to the northwest.

Association president Ron Nelson isn't pleased with the delay which he said originates with the Ontario Power Authority exploring "other options" toward supplying energy to the region.

A NOMA press release said the association's call on the province to undertake proper energy planning has "fallen on deaf ears and this decision is an unfortunate example of the consequence."

"How dare the OPA (Ontario Power Authority) ignore specific government direction by causing further delays to the Thunder Bay Generating Station conversion," said Nelson. "These actions jeopardize the conversion and also put at risk billions of dollars of investment in the mining sector by raising concerns that the required power may not be there when it is needed.

"Why is OPA determined to turn Off the lights in our region? Why is the Ontario government letting this...