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       Province commits $160M to Otto Holden dam
        
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       Generating station in Mattawan set to be refurbished, will create more
       than 500 highly-skilled and well-paid jobs across the region
        
       The Otto Holden Hydroelectric Station is over 70 years old, but the
       province is investing big to ensure the power keeps coming from the
       Ottawa River.
        
       That investment of $160 million comes through Ontario Power Generation
       (OPG), as part of OPG's larger plan to invest around $1 billion to
       increase the amount of clean electricity generated within the
       province.
        
       Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli made the announcement on June 27th. "This
       critical investment in our people and communities will bring good-
       paying jobs," he said, "while continuing the Otto Holden generating
       station's legacy of supplying clean power for at least another 30
       years."
        
       "Moreover," Fedeli added, "this refurbishment will help secure clean,
       green power we need to fuel our growing economy and support the
       hardworking families of this region."
        
       See: **Mattawa's Otto Holden dam celebrates 70th birthday**
        
       The Otto Holden station can generate 243 megawatts of electricity. The
       provincial government wants to generate 1,617 megawatts throughout the
       province, which could power 1.6 million homes, Fedeli detailed in a
       recent release.
        
       That's where the $1 billion will be put to work, as OPG plans to
       refurbish eight generating stations in Eastern Ontario. Along with
       Otto Holden, Chenaux, the Arnprior, Barrett Chute, Mountain Chute,
       Stewartville, Chats Falls, and Des Joachims are all slated for
       upgrades, with the goal of increasing output.
        
       Mattawan's mayor, Peter Murphy, noted that the investment aligns well
       with Dr. Otto Holden's vision "of producing clean, affordable and
       renewable electricity" for the people. Dr. Holden served on the
       Ontario Hydro Electric Power Commission for 47 years, the mayor added.
        
       "This investment to refurbish the Otto Holden Hydro Station will
       ensure that Dr. Holden's vision of meeting Ontario's power demands
       with clean, safe, and renewable electricity will continue for many
       decades to come," Mayor Murphy said.
        
       Raymond Bélanger, Mattawa's mayor, noted that "Otto Holden has been
       part of the Mattawa area hydroelectric infrastructure since the early
       1950s providing clean energy and local employment."
        
       "This investment ensures the continued safe operations of the station
       for many years to come," Bélanger added.
        
       Upgrading the power stations will take place over the next 20 years,
       the province detailed in a release, "creating more than 500 highly-
       skilled and well-paid jobs across the region."
        
       _David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out
       of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism
       Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada._
        
        
        
        
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