Green Power
Canoe News reported the following: Ontario's energy minister pledged yesterday to do what he can to solve the issues that led an Alberta company to shelve a $300-million Huron County wind turbine project. "We were obviously disappointed to hear it is being shelved," said Energy Minister Dwight Duncan....But Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell said she spoke to a senior vice-president of the company last Friday. "I think there is a very good chance of the project going forward," Mitchell said. "This is an excellent site for wind. They are committed to moving this project forward and the McGuinty government is committed to moving (renewable energy projects) forward." In a related article, Canoe News reported that Deputy Reeve Neil Rintoul placed blame for the delay on the Chippewas of Saugee native community in Southampton. "One of the bigger factors was the native community. They challenged it is their wind that turns the turbines and (they) want some of the proceeds." Wanda/Bonnie, we will need to update this note by 10:30 am today.
Forestry
The proposed merger of Bowater Inc. and Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. will make the new company one of the largest employers in Northwestern Ontario, with more than 2,000 employees on the payroll between Thunder Bay and Fort Frances. The combined firm, to be known as AbitibiBowater Inc., will be the third-largest publicly traded paper and forest products company in North America, and the eighth-largest in the world, with annual revenues of $9.3 billion.
