The Thunder Bay Generating Station will stop burning coal and convert to natural gas – a move that supports jobs in the community and takes the province another step closer to eliminating all coal-fired generation by the end of 2014. This will make Northern Ontario the first region of the province with existing coal plants to become coal-free.

The conversion of two coal-burning units at Ontario Power Generation’s Thunder Bay plant will create 100 construction jobs and help protect jobs at the plant. It will be the first plant in Northern Ontario’s history to be converted to natural gas.

The project, which is outlined in Ontario’s updated Long-Term Energy plan, to be released later today, is expected to begin in 2011 and will be completed before the end of 2014. The converted plant is expected to generate up to 150 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, enough to power 15,000 homes each year. In addition, emissions from the plant will be cut in half.

Supporting projects that build a clean energy economy and create jobs for Ontario families is an important part of the McGuinty government’s Open Ontario Plan to attract investment and provide cleaner air for our children and grandchildren to breathe.