19.11 Making Connections

DO WE NEED MORE REGULATIONS

Background: Coal combustion is a large contributor of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide. Burning coal also releases other compounds into the air, including pollutants such as mercury and sulphur. A partial solution to this problem is to use clean coal technology.

Case: You are an assistant to a provincial/territorial environment minister. Part of your job is to provide the minister with up-to-date information about energy issues. The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) has been working on developing standards for regulating emissions of mercury (Hg) from coal-fired plants. The companies that already produce power with cleaner fuel (that is, not coal) are in favour of implementing these standards. Companies that primarily use coal are not. You’ve been asked to research the new standards to help your minister draft a public position statement.

1. As part of your research, find out:
   1. What is the purpose (both immediate and long term) of the new standards?
   2. How long have the new standards been under review and revision?
   3. How will the new standards affect the energy companies in your minister’s voting area? (Assume the area is where you are attending school.)
2. Next, find out what opponents and proponents of the new standards predict about the long-term consequences of such standards. Which viewpoint do you think is most similar to those your minister will have? Explain.
3. As a citizen, independent of your role as a ministerial assistant, what is your response to the proponents of the new standards? The opponents? When drafting your response, think about what you know about the history of industry, Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and relevant provincial/territorial agencies, and existing regulations, especially as they relate to coal and current environmental and economic conditions.