That natural gas plant in North Bay that Atlantic Power is mothballing costing 11 jobs isn't dead yet insists Mayor Al McDonald.
He says the plant was the subject of discussion when Energy Minister Glen Thibeault visited the city last week.
See: Mayor blames province for power plant closure
And: American utility gets paid by Ontario not to produce power at North Bay plant
"I expressed my disappointment and we're continue to meet with the minister and the company moving forward. right now it's just mothballed, it hasn't been decommissioned so we're going to continue to work on that file.
"All I can say at this point is we continue to work with Atlantic power and the ministry."
The Boston-based power producer owns 23 plants in two provinces and nine states in the U.S. Their Northern Ontario gas plants were each capable of producing 40 megawatts.
Meanwhile, Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure announced this week that the government would be launching a $100 M Natural Gas Grant Program, targeted at expanding natural gas in unserved areas of rural and Northern Ontario, and First Nations communities.
"Expanding access to natural gas to these areas of the province has been a key priority for our government as we look to tackle the rising cost of electricity. This grant program is about energy affordability and providing choice to Ontario energy consumers. It will help those who convert from electricity save up to $1,500 per year, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by converting from sources like heating oil or propane."
