NDP Energy and Environment Critic Peter Tabuns is condemning today’s decision by the McGuinty government to go ahead with a $1.2-billion gas plant in Oakville as economically irresponsible and environmentally reckless.

“Last week, the McGuinty government promised not to build a single wind turbine closer than 550 meters to residences,” said Tabuns.

“Today, they show they are happy to build a massively-polluting gas plant less than 400 metres from homes in an already over-polluted air shed.”

Mayors, councillors, medical officers of health and tens of thousands of residents in Peel and Halton had all opposed the plant, saying it will harm the health of local residents.

“Why put a new gas plant in an area where air pollution already adversely affects the health of thousands of people? The wiser choice would have been to wait until June, when a task force will report back on ways to reduce pollution in the area,” said Tabuns.

He adds that the McGuinty government’s decision does nothing to turn the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) away from environmentally unfriendly mega-projects and towards conservation and renewable energy initiatives.

“The OPA continues to overestimate energy demand in the province and gives priority to large-scale polluting plants. Perhaps that is not surprising given that the OPA chair (John Beck) also leads one of the largest power plant construction companies in North America,” noted Tabuns.

In 2007, New Democrats were sharply critical of the McGuinty government when it first appointed Beck, given his role as CEO of Aecon Construction.