Why continue burning coal?

I write regarding the Oct. 20 editorial, “Carbon tax caution” and the statement, “Affordability and the economy. Isn’t that what Wall says we should be worried about?”

Yes, that was the main concern when the hydro power plants were built on the Saskatchewan River system and the coal mine was opened at Coronach. However, times have changed and the impact upon the environment and the cost of mitigating that impact may in some cases make an option unaffordable.

What is going on in China is really of little, if any, relevance to Saskatchewan. Unlike Saskatchewan, which has natural gas readily available, much of China’s coal-fired capacity has to be used for peaking purposes.

When it comes to the economy, it becomes important to ensure power rates are as competitive as possible, given our resource base and recognizing Alberta as having higher-quality coal — burning less coal per kW/hr to generate electricity — and that Manitoba has an abundance of cheap hydro.

Given the lower cost of natural gas and the fact that gas turbine plants have no need for large cooling ponds and can be located strategically around the province, one wonders why SaskPower would pay an apparent premium to continue and expand the burning of coal — particularly when the coal is owned, mined and delivered by a U.S.-based company. John R. McClement, Regina McClement is a former director of electrical generation planning at SaskPower.