Quebec, Ontario could save $12 billion

Quebec, Ontario could save $12 billion each co-ordinating 

nuclear, hydro resources.

It doesn't make sense to sell gasoline for twice as much in 

some provinces as others, and it doesn't make sense to do 

it for electricity.

Electricity costs less than 5 cents a kilowatt hour in Quebec 

and more than 10 cents a kilowatt hour in Ontario, many 

regions of the country now have something to gain from 

greater energy co-operation:

- Alberta and Saskatchewan want to pipe oil to the east   

coast through Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick (and   

expand pipelines through B.C);

- Ontario would benefit from low-cost Quebec hydro power

- Quebec is embarking on a cap-and-trade carbon market    

  venture, but has no Canadian partners.

Quebec is currently considering three additional projects to 

expand its links to the Northeastern U.S., where it already 

exports large amounts of power.

Ontario should scrap plans to refurbish the Darlington 

nuclear plant, which is due to begin in 2016. The lowest 

possible cost for power from the overhauled plants is 8.3 

cents a kwh.  Quebec's 5 cents a kilowatt hour sounds a lot 

better for the Ontario consumer.

Quebec would save $1.2 billion if the savings were divided 

between Quebec and Ontario, each province would gain 

$12 billion over 20 years.There is a lot of money sitting on 

the table, waiting to be grabbed. Boosting transmission links 

between Ontario and Quebec could increase the trade, and 

the savings, even further.