Re: "Tories continue the war on science, environment," Sept. 12.
The writer draws attention to his position that "as a society we live or die by our consumption of coal." He then castigates the federal government for its weak regulations that will "ensure that we have coal-fired plants spewing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere for decades to come."
Although it is true that the regulations are not as strong as some would wish, it is my understanding that at least some of Canada's coal-based plants could face closure by 2020. I am also unaware of plans to build new coal-fired plants in Canada.
Contrast this situation with what is going on in the rest of the world. South Africa has recently commissioned one of the world's largest coal-based facilities.
China brings on new plants at a fast rate. Germany has announced plans to replace its nuclear facilities with dozens of coal-based plants.
Even the Obama administration's proposed environmental legislation exempted almost all of its coal-fired plants. The writer seems to ignore all of these developments, which in terms of coal consumption are far more significant.
One can only wonder whether his real agenda is to excoriate the Conservative government, rather than to address the purported issue of coal consumption.
John Sutherland
Victoria
