by Judi McLeod
august 20, 2004
actor alec Baldwin came literally into the backyard of Canadafreepress Tuesday, celebrating the launch of an initiative that uses lake water to cool office buildings in Toronto’s downtown core.
Enwave District Energy, a company co-owned by the City of Toronto and the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS), a cash-rich pension plan, is CFP’s closest neighbour.
While some folk see weeping statues as miracles, Baldwin sees Enwave as one. "What you have here today is a miracle," he told reporters. "You should be very proud to live in a city where a consortium of environmental scientists, bold and decisive political leaders, and risk-taking yet ultimately common-sense business leaders come together to make this project come true."
It was the sane kind of expensive environmental boosterism displayed by Robert Kennedy Jr. when Toronto Mayor David Miller brought the activist into town during last summer’s heated mayoralty campaign.
Why a film star was brought in to have The Deep Lake Water Cooling (DLWC) "officially activated" by Enwave District Energy yesterday, is no mystery.
Downtown Enwave is home for a covey of City of Toronto ex-councillors. New Democrat Party Democrat (NDP) ex-councillor Dick Gilbert has hung his hat there for years. Enwave’s President is former metro Councillor Dennis Fotinos.
In another chapter Enwave was the scandal-plagued Toronto District Heating Corporation.
The scheme launched Tuesday is more PR than miracle. In a nutshell, the system draws water from 83 metres below the surface of Lake Ontario and uses it to provide air conditioning for 10 buildings, including the air Canada Centre, the Royal Bank Plaza and the TD Centre. Enwave claims the project will reduce the amount of energy required to cool the buildings by 75 percent and–here’s the kicker–will remove 40,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the air–the equivalent of taking 8,000 cars off the road.
Federal Human Resources Minister Joe Volpe, Tuesday announced a $10-million contribution to the project by the Canadian government through the Green Municipal Fund.
It’s a miracle that the federal, provincial and municipal governments get away with it!
Enwave President Fotinos said it is the largest renewable energy project implemented "on any city on Earth".
"Deep Lake Water Cooling is an example of smart energy," Fotinos said. "It’s sustainable energy that will deliver a tangible difference to the people of Toronto. It is environmentally friendly, socially responsible and financially sound."
For witnessing the miracle, Baldwin was paid a handsome but unspecified sum. The lion’s share of the money, he said, would be donated to charities he supports.
a vocal supporter of renewable energy, Baldwin is currently lobbying the City of Los angeles to adopt such new energy sources as solar and wind power.
Baldwin, who reneged on his promise to give up american residency if George W. Bush was elected, is still very much around.
In another era, the author of this article considered Fotinos a friend.
a message left yesterday on his Enwave voice mail asked, "Who authorized alec Baldwin’s arrival for the launch?"
at press time, the question remains unanswered.
Canada Free Press founding editor Most recent by Judi McLeod is an award-winning journalist with 30 years experience in the print media. Her work has appeared on Newsmax.com, Drudge Report, Foxnews.com, Glenn Beck. Judi can be reached at: judi@canadafreepress.com
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