Ontario is promoting more renewable electricity generation and conservation through the Green Energy Act. Biomass represents one renewable electricity option for the province. In addition, by converting existing Ontario Power Generation (OPG) coal-fuelled generating units, it is renewable electricity that can be produced on demand when it is needed. These are all good reasons why OPG is exploring the biomass option. Why else biomass? Biomass fuels are recognized around the world as renewable, provided that they are obtained from sustainable sources. Biomass fuels are also considered to be carbon neutral: the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted during combustion is equal to the GHGs absorbed while the material was growing. This gives biomass amajor environmental advantage over fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. A 2008 University of Toronto study of lifecycle emissions associated with Ontario wood pellets, coal, and natural gas found that generating electricity with 100% biomassreduced GHGs by 90% compared to coal and 75% compared to combined-cycle natural gas.
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