Alternative Energy Sources Make Coal Plants Extinct

Apr 16, 2014

Biomass the Clean Energy Replacement

The Ontario government says that it has completely eliminated coal as a source of electricity. Ontario is the first jurisdiction in North America to have achieved this goal, now that the last coal has been burned at the Thunder Bay Generating Station.

The good news for producers in Ontario is that coal has been replaced with a number of electricity sources that can be produced on the farm. Sources like wind, solar, and biomass are all seen as opportunities for Farmers. The Thunderbay Generating Station facilities will be converted so that it can continue to generate electricity by burning a specialty black pellet -- advanced biomass. The fuel procurement process for this plant is already underway. This conversion will allow the facility to retain 60 jobs at the plant.

“Getting off coal is the single largest climate change initiative undertaken in North America and is equivalent to taking up to seven million cars off the road,” comments Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli. “Today we celebrate a cleaner future for our children and grandchildren while embracing the environmental benefits that our cleaner energy sources will bring.”

In January, Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operators (IESO) released the 2013 Ontario Electricity Data report showing that wind energy production in Ontario has doubled over the past four years. According to the report, the annual Ontario production of wind energy has grown from 2.3 TWh in 2009 to 5.2 TWh in 2013. That translates into wind generating enough electricity to power 550,000 Ontario homes in 2013. CanWEA predicts that wind energy will continue to increase significantly over the next few years as more energy projects get added into the power grid.

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.