Some of the numbers behind the Liberal plan to phase out coal-fired electricity
OTTAWA — The federal government wants to phase out the rest of Canada’s coal-fired power plants by 2030 as part of its clean-energy strategy. Here’s a look at some of the numbers involved:
— Close to three-quarters of the greenhouse gas emissions from the country’s electricity sector, more than eight per cent of Canada’s total emissions, come from coal-burning plants.
— There are 35 coal power units across Canada: in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
— The government says that in 2014, coal plants were 10 of the top 17 sources of sulphur dioxide in Canada, 10 of the 14 top sources of nitrogen oxide and three of the top five sources of mercury.