If you want to believe a government that shortened the EA process required shortly before an EA for one of the largest infrastructure projects in Toronto history go ahead.
If you want to believe a government that rushed eHealth and blew millions of dollars and has nothing to show for it go ahead.
If you want to believe GO, who was just admonished by the Canadian Transit Agency for violating section 95.1 of the Canada Transportation Act all the while ignoring local residents.
If you want to believe GO which proposed a grade separation at a meeting that they failed to let the public know about and then withdrew the proposal in its entirety after it became evident that their planners knew almost nothing about the affected area or the Georgetown expansion go ahead.
If you want to believe Metrolinx who has plastered our area with weekly mailings filled with half truths such as "working collaboratively with Toronto' Medical Officer of Health" despite the MOH's actual public denials of this go ahead.
But actual pro transit advocates like Steve Munro have a different take and its a pretty exhaustive listing of all of the contradictions, inaccurate projections, and outright bending of the truth that Metrolinx/Government has used to avoid answering questions about the financial logic of using diesel. Especially interesting are posts such as "Fun with figures".
In terms of the "Smokestacks on Rails" report by the Environmental Defense Fund there are a few disclaimers that should be added because this report is not really applicable to us.
1. There is no such thing as clean diesel. The EDF report's own data shows that. So stop being misleading. Diesel will be smaller smokestacks on rail even if Tier 4 happens, but smokestacks nonetheless. And as the report says, locomotives last 40 years, so we would get stuck with little smokestacks, still NEW pollution as this is an expansion line, for 40 years. We could go electric day one. At least use the phrase "cleaner diesel", it more accurate.
2. The EDF report is primarily concerned with the conversion of existing rolling stock as locomotives last about 40 years by their estimation and replacement locomotives on existing systems. Thats why the report does not focus alternative power sources. In fact electric commuter rail is not mentioned once in the report, thats because its not what the report is about. We are talking about NEW capacity and go electric day one.
3. The EDF report is primarily about freight trains not commuter trains. There is almost nobody building diesel commuters line in this world any more. Commuter lines here in North America are testing conversion to electric, even GO itself (although it denied it only 3 months ago) has been doing studies. Why the rush to diesel then? Vancouver got an electric line this summer, why not us?
4. The EDF also has a bias against electricity and despite the hundreds of comments on their website saying that electric trains are a good thing you won't find much of a policy on this. Why? Because in the US over 50% of power generation is from coal, most of it the really polluting kind. Dirty coal is one of the EDF's prime targets and its easy to see why in that power generation climate they would spend their energy on cleaning up the coal and diesel that they already have. If they had more hydro and atomic and green energy sources they would have a different focus. It's a noble fight, but different than ours. Again, in our situation we are talking about a NEW capacity that can be way cleaner than any existing diesel from day one.
5. The EDF report touches on it but really does not address the actual total carbon footprint of using diesel vs. using electric, especially the comparison of creating a larger NEW diesel footprint vs the smaller footprint of are NEW electric system. Build it one, build it right.
Lastly, even a person who worked on tier 4 diesel has concerns about it:
Read the story and count up how many times a Metrolinx/Go rep says they don't know something or wont tell us something. Feel better. Still want to believe them. Go ahead.
They are hollow promises because Metrolinx has been ordered to purchase technology that doesn't exist. In the event that they can't purchase this non-existent technology, then they can go ahead and use the current diesel technology which is heavily polluting.
The Canadian Transporation Agency has just come out and ruled that Metrolinx is not acting fairly with the pile-driving - they are not using technology that could mitigate the noise levels. Metrolinx is using selective quotes from the Medical Officer of Health that ignores his assertion that the current expansion plans pose a major health risk to people living along the corridor. Clean technology built by a Canadian firm is in use around the world. Isn't it time to just do the right thing and go electric now?
Demand clean diesel!
There is a report from Environmental Defense called "Smokestacks on Rails" that has an extensive analysis of the pollution from diesel locomotives. They are calling for the EPA to require trains use technology already being used by trucks on the road today. They figure this would represent a 90% reduction of pollution from the current tier 2 locomotives. Some industry representatives want the EPA to limit itself to only legislate changes that can be made with virtually no cost. The trucking industry has also objected to regulation as you can imagine, but the EPA estimates current pollution control represents less than 2% of the cost of a new truck.
By exaggerating the cost and difficulty of applying EXISTING technology to locomotives you are supporting industry advocates who are trying to prevent the EPA from protecting the environment.
Check it out. Smokestacks on Rails
Another interesting point they make is that it is better to focus on results than technology.
Given that GO has just upgraded their locomotives it seems reasonable to take them at their word that they will also do the same in the future.
Why do you think these are hollow promises.
When this came out I noticed the pile thermometer on the site showed they were 100 piles away from completing the outside piles and moving on to the center piles. I don't know if there would be much of a difference in vibration now that ground on the sides has been stabilized, but it there were it would make sense that some bureaucrat or politician would try to take credit for a reduction in the noise level.
Well either way I hope the noise level gets better soon.
What time you were there? When our meeting ended at 9, a few of us went over to the 3 Speed. We were there until 11. I have a sense of civic duty too. I will never be afraid to drink beer for my country!
It was nice to see some familiar faces from the Junction Triangle on my side of the tracks. I hope you didn't have trouble with immigration on the way home.
A complete list of neighbourhood name suggestions has been chalked on the West Toronto Railpath. The list of name ideas stretches from Dupont to Bloor and includes all 185 suggested names to date. It is a chance for the neighbourhood to see how we might "wear" a name. Perhaps you'll see something you like or maybe it will spark an idea. If you have a comment or suggestion, we would like to hear from you at www.fuzzyboundaries.ca
The latest from the people doing the soil remediation at the brownfield on Wallace. As per previous conversations the land owner Glidden can now sell the land to a developer. So far they have not wanted to tell who it is but there is a deal in place. This land is zoned as "employment lands" which in theory means the City has greater control over what will happen here. Number one, expect a new road from Ruskin to Macauley to Wallace. From Bio Genie:
"We are just finalizing countouring and seeding and will completely demobilize by the end of next week.
The project is complete and the site is decontaminated to residential standards.
Regards,
Philippe Gingras, P.Eng.
Project Manager
Biogenie S.R.D.C. Inc.
#136, 2301 Premier Way
Sherwood Park, Alberta"
On the short east-west section of Sterling Rd between Maloney Electric and Tower Automotive, the Google Car seems to do a weird warp from the road to some back parking lots behind the buildings, and then back to the road. Go here and move forward: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Sterling+Rd,...
I also found some people embracing and smooching in the 'hood, but I'll leave that for you to find yourself. :)
Walking Tour - Tramping on the Trails
Date: Sunday, October 11, 2009
Start Time: 10:30 am End Time: 12:00 pm
Location: Benches across from Grenadier Cafe and Teahouse
Haunted High Park
Various dates, please visit http://www.highpark.org/ for more details.
Location: Colborne Lodge
Description: Visit Colborne Lodge and its grounds at night and hear ghostly tales and legends that have been told about the Lodge and High Park. Period refreshments included.
Pre-registration and pre-payment required. $10 + GST for adults, $5 + GST for children.
NOTE: Not recommended for children under 8 years of age.
Walking Tour - Autumn Splendor Photo-Buff Walk
Date: Sunday, October 25, 2009
Start Time: 10:30 am End Time: 12:00 pm
Location: Benches across from Grenadier Cafe and Teahouse
With the long Thanksgiving weekend almost here, many people are making plans to travel for at least part of the weekend. For anyone thinking of making a trip north to see the autumn colours, you might be interested in this web site that details the Ontario Fall Colour Progression http://www.400eleven.com/colour-progressing-report.html
This recipe is great for a crowd and really easy....just throw the ingredients together, let it sit (overnight is best) then sprinkle with brown sugar and wine and bake....VOILA!
Ingredients:
one "club pack" of boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 head of garlic, peeled and finely pureed
1/4 cup dried oregano
coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup pitted prunes
1/2 cup pitted Spanish green olives
1/2 cup capers with a bit of juice
6 bay leaves
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white wine
1/4 cup Italian parsley or fresh coriander (cilantro), finely chopped
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a shallow baking dish combine chicken quarters, garlic, oregano, pepper and coarse salt to taste, vinegar, olive oil, prunes, olives, capers and juice, and bay leaves. Cover and let marinate, refrigerated, overnight.
When ready to bake, sprinkle chicken pieces with brown sugar and pour white wine around them.
Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, basting frequently with pan juices. Chicken is done when thigh pieces, pricked with a fork at their thickest, yield clear yellow (rather than pink) juice.
Steve Munro has an excellent summary of the Environment Minister's conditions for the Metrolinx project and does a great job explaining the shortcomings in detail. It's a must read! http://stevemunro.ca/?p=2705
I've been following the Fannie Farmer recipe for brownies for almost 30 years. They are so amazing that I only make them to take to friends or else I end up eating them all myself at home. One of the best things about this recipe is that you can make the brownies in a double-boiler with just a spatula.
3 ounces (85 g) unsweetened chocolate
6 tablespoons (90g) unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups of sugar
3 eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup floor
3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch square cake pan.
Melt the chocolate and butter in the double-boiler. Remove from heat and pour off the water as soon as the chocolate and butter have melted so the mixture begins to cool. Stir in the sugar, eggs, salt, flour, walnuts and vanilla. Combine well. Spread in the pan and bake for about 40 minutes until dry on top and almost firm to touch.
I'm not great with recipes, too many rules, but this is really easy and delicious.
Get a big fat red cabbage, chop it up and cook it slowly in a pan with a couple of spoonfuls of butter. My mom adds a bay leaf but I can never tell that it makes any difference.... I do add a big spoonful of brown sugar and lots of lemon juice. When the cabbage starts getting soft, add a big, chopped up tart apple. Some peel the apple but I don't. Cook, cook, cook until it is all really soft and yummy and then eat it.
The Perth Dupont branch of the Toronto Public Library is having an event with local author Kristen Den Hartog on Tuesday, October 27 at 7 p.m. Kristin will be discussing her first book Water Wings. The library has copies of the book available at the desk.
Over the summer I read her most recent book called The Occupied Garden which was an amazing recounting of her Dutch family's experience living through the war in The Netherlands.
If you want to believe a government that shortened the EA process required shortly before an EA for one of the largest infrastructure projects in Toronto history go ahead.
If you want to believe a government that rushed eHealth and blew millions of dollars and has nothing to show for it go ahead.
If you want to believe GO, who was just admonished by the Canadian Transit Agency for violating section 95.1 of the Canada Transportation Act all the while ignoring local residents.
If you want to believe GO which proposed a grade separation at a meeting that they failed to let the public know about and then withdrew the proposal in its entirety after it became evident that their planners knew almost nothing about the affected area or the Georgetown expansion go ahead.
If you want to believe Metrolinx who has plastered our area with weekly mailings filled with half truths such as "working collaboratively with Toronto' Medical Officer of Health" despite the MOH's actual public denials of this go ahead.
But actual pro transit advocates like Steve Munro have a different take and its a pretty exhaustive listing of all of the contradictions, inaccurate projections, and outright bending of the truth that Metrolinx/Government has used to avoid answering questions about the financial logic of using diesel. Especially interesting are posts such as "Fun with figures".
http://stevemunro.ca/?cat=14
In terms of the "Smokestacks on Rails" report by the Environmental Defense Fund there are a few disclaimers that should be added because this report is not really applicable to us.
1. There is no such thing as clean diesel. The EDF report's own data shows that. So stop being misleading. Diesel will be smaller smokestacks on rail even if Tier 4 happens, but smokestacks nonetheless. And as the report says, locomotives last 40 years, so we would get stuck with little smokestacks, still NEW pollution as this is an expansion line, for 40 years. We could go electric day one. At least use the phrase "cleaner diesel", it more accurate.
2. The EDF report is primarily concerned with the conversion of existing rolling stock as locomotives last about 40 years by their estimation and replacement locomotives on existing systems. Thats why the report does not focus alternative power sources. In fact electric commuter rail is not mentioned once in the report, thats because its not what the report is about. We are talking about NEW capacity and go electric day one.
3. The EDF report is primarily about freight trains not commuter trains. There is almost nobody building diesel commuters line in this world any more. Commuter lines here in North America are testing conversion to electric, even GO itself (although it denied it only 3 months ago) has been doing studies. Why the rush to diesel then? Vancouver got an electric line this summer, why not us?
4. The EDF also has a bias against electricity and despite the hundreds of comments on their website saying that electric trains are a good thing you won't find much of a policy on this. Why? Because in the US over 50% of power generation is from coal, most of it the really polluting kind. Dirty coal is one of the EDF's prime targets and its easy to see why in that power generation climate they would spend their energy on cleaning up the coal and diesel that they already have. If they had more hydro and atomic and green energy sources they would have a different focus. It's a noble fight, but different than ours. Again, in our situation we are talking about a NEW capacity that can be way cleaner than any existing diesel from day one.
5. The EDF report touches on it but really does not address the actual total carbon footprint of using diesel vs. using electric, especially the comparison of creating a larger NEW diesel footprint vs the smaller footprint of are NEW electric system. Build it one, build it right.
Lastly, even a person who worked on tier 4 diesel has concerns about it:
https://www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/436
Read the story and count up how many times a Metrolinx/Go rep says they don't know something or wont tell us something. Feel better. Still want to believe them. Go ahead.
They are hollow promises because Metrolinx has been ordered to purchase technology that doesn't exist. In the event that they can't purchase this non-existent technology, then they can go ahead and use the current diesel technology which is heavily polluting.
The Canadian Transporation Agency has just come out and ruled that Metrolinx is not acting fairly with the pile-driving - they are not using technology that could mitigate the noise levels. Metrolinx is using selective quotes from the Medical Officer of Health that ignores his assertion that the current expansion plans pose a major health risk to people living along the corridor. Clean technology built by a Canadian firm is in use around the world. Isn't it time to just do the right thing and go electric now?
There will be a segment on tonight's 6:00 Global TV News about recent Fuzzy Boundaries activities. Be sure to tune in if you can.
Demand clean diesel!
There is a report from Environmental Defense called "Smokestacks on Rails" that has an extensive analysis of the pollution from diesel locomotives. They are calling for the EPA to require trains use technology already being used by trucks on the road today. They figure this would represent a 90% reduction of pollution from the current tier 2 locomotives. Some industry representatives want the EPA to limit itself to only legislate changes that can be made with virtually no cost. The trucking industry has also objected to regulation as you can imagine, but the EPA estimates current pollution control represents less than 2% of the cost of a new truck.
By exaggerating the cost and difficulty of applying EXISTING technology to locomotives you are supporting industry advocates who are trying to prevent the EPA from protecting the environment.
Check it out.
Smokestacks on Rails
Another interesting point they make is that it is better to focus on results than technology.
Given that GO has just upgraded their locomotives it seems reasonable to take them at their word that they will also do the same in the future.
Why do you think these are hollow promises.
When this came out I noticed the pile thermometer on the site showed they were 100 piles away from completing the outside piles and moving on to the center piles. I don't know if there would be much of a difference in vibration now that ground on the sides has been stabilized, but it there were it would make sense that some bureaucrat or politician would try to take credit for a reduction in the noise level.
Well either way I hope the noise level gets better soon.
An article in today's Globe and Mail reports that Metrolinx is promising to switch to "clean diesel technology" by 2017 on all its rail lines. That is quite a pledge considering the technology doesn't even exist. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/go-trains-to-get-cl...
I love this project -- thanks for posting the link. I do recognize some of the people in the fabulous shots from our neighbourhood.
Got there around 10:30 then things get a bit Fuzzy.
What time you were there? When our meeting ended at 9, a few of us went over to the 3 Speed. We were there until 11. I have a sense of civic duty too. I will never be afraid to drink beer for my country!
I missed the meeting as I was doing my civic duty and drinking at 3 Speed waaaay over at Dufferin and Bloor!
It was nice to see some familiar faces from the Junction Triangle on my side of the tracks. I hope you didn't have trouble with immigration on the way home.
A complete list of neighbourhood name suggestions has been chalked on the West Toronto Railpath. The list of name ideas stretches from Dupont to Bloor and includes all 185 suggested names to date. It is a chance for the neighbourhood to see how we might "wear" a name. Perhaps you'll see something you like or maybe it will spark an idea. If you have a comment or suggestion, we would like to hear from you at www.fuzzyboundaries.ca
Go Transit Found to be Rude by Canadian Transport Agency http://breakingprojects.com/junctioneer/2009/10/09/canadian-transportati...
The latest from the people doing the soil remediation at the brownfield on Wallace. As per previous conversations the land owner Glidden can now sell the land to a developer. So far they have not wanted to tell who it is but there is a deal in place. This land is zoned as "employment lands" which in theory means the City has greater control over what will happen here. Number one, expect a new road from Ruskin to Macauley to Wallace. From Bio Genie:
"We are just finalizing countouring and seeding and will completely demobilize by the end of next week.
The project is complete and the site is decontaminated to residential standards.
Regards,
Philippe Gingras, P.Eng.
Project Manager
Biogenie S.R.D.C. Inc.
#136, 2301 Premier Way
Sherwood Park, Alberta"
I also found the store owner at the corner of Symington and Earnest mooning the camera.
On the short east-west section of Sterling Rd between Maloney Electric and Tower Automotive, the Google Car seems to do a weird warp from the road to some back parking lots behind the buildings, and then back to the road. Go here and move forward:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Sterling+Rd,...
I also found some people embracing and smooching in the 'hood, but I'll leave that for you to find yourself. :)
Lovely shot of cyclist making a left at Perth Wallace:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Franklin+and...
A new resident cleaning out his house:
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=229+Perth+Ave,+Toronto,+Toront...
Bike murals in progress on Dupont. Too bad the Streetview car didn't go by when the artists were there:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Dupont+and+O...
Here's Bloor and Perth, looking towards the railway bridge which is getting a coat of paint. If you move one step closer to the bridge, it immediately changes to the fully-painted version. :)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Perth+and+St...
A person cut in half at Perth and Randolph:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Perth+and+Ra...
Motorists parked illegally in the bike lane on Dupont at Franklin:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Franklin+and...
Campbell Park dump!
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Campbell+Par...
This person was obviously excited to see the Google Streetview car:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Symington+Ave...
Don't forget Fall events closer to home:
Walking Tour - Tramping on the Trails
Date: Sunday, October 11, 2009
Start Time: 10:30 am End Time: 12:00 pm
Location: Benches across from Grenadier Cafe and Teahouse
Haunted High Park
Various dates, please visit http://www.highpark.org/ for more details.
Location: Colborne Lodge
Description: Visit Colborne Lodge and its grounds at night and hear ghostly tales and legends that have been told about the Lodge and High Park. Period refreshments included.
Pre-registration and pre-payment required. $10 + GST for adults, $5 + GST for children.
NOTE: Not recommended for children under 8 years of age.
Walking Tour - Autumn Splendor Photo-Buff Walk
Date: Sunday, October 25, 2009
Start Time: 10:30 am End Time: 12:00 pm
Location: Benches across from Grenadier Cafe and Teahouse
With the long Thanksgiving weekend almost here, many people are making plans to travel for at least part of the weekend. For anyone thinking of making a trip north to see the autumn colours, you might be interested in this web site that details the Ontario Fall Colour Progression http://www.400eleven.com/colour-progressing-report.html
This recipe is great for a crowd and really easy....just throw the ingredients together, let it sit (overnight is best) then sprinkle with brown sugar and wine and bake....VOILA!
Ingredients:
one "club pack" of boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 head of garlic, peeled and finely pureed
1/4 cup dried oregano
coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup pitted prunes
1/2 cup pitted Spanish green olives
1/2 cup capers with a bit of juice
6 bay leaves
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white wine
1/4 cup Italian parsley or fresh coriander (cilantro), finely chopped
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a shallow baking dish combine chicken quarters, garlic, oregano, pepper and coarse salt to taste, vinegar, olive oil, prunes, olives, capers and juice, and bay leaves. Cover and let marinate, refrigerated, overnight.
When ready to bake, sprinkle chicken pieces with brown sugar and pour white wine around them.
Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, basting frequently with pan juices. Chicken is done when thigh pieces, pricked with a fork at their thickest, yield clear yellow (rather than pink) juice.
Steve Munro has an excellent summary of the Environment Minister's conditions for the Metrolinx project and does a great job explaining the shortcomings in detail. It's a must read! http://stevemunro.ca/?p=2705
I've been following the Fannie Farmer recipe for brownies for almost 30 years. They are so amazing that I only make them to take to friends or else I end up eating them all myself at home. One of the best things about this recipe is that you can make the brownies in a double-boiler with just a spatula.
3 ounces (85 g) unsweetened chocolate
6 tablespoons (90g) unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups of sugar
3 eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup floor
3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch square cake pan.
Melt the chocolate and butter in the double-boiler. Remove from heat and pour off the water as soon as the chocolate and butter have melted so the mixture begins to cool. Stir in the sugar, eggs, salt, flour, walnuts and vanilla. Combine well. Spread in the pan and bake for about 40 minutes until dry on top and almost firm to touch.
I'm not great with recipes, too many rules, but this is really easy and delicious.
Get a big fat red cabbage, chop it up and cook it slowly in a pan with a couple of spoonfuls of butter. My mom adds a bay leaf but I can never tell that it makes any difference.... I do add a big spoonful of brown sugar and lots of lemon juice. When the cabbage starts getting soft, add a big, chopped up tart apple. Some peel the apple but I don't. Cook, cook, cook until it is all really soft and yummy and then eat it.
The Perth Dupont branch of the Toronto Public Library is having an event with local author Kristen Den Hartog on Tuesday, October 27 at 7 p.m. Kristin will be discussing her first book Water Wings. The library has copies of the book available at the desk.
Over the summer I read her most recent book called The Occupied Garden which was an amazing recounting of her Dutch family's experience living through the war in The Netherlands.