In the United States the largest source of acid-causing pollutants is the coal burned for electricity generation. In Canada the smelting of sulfur—rich ores and use of coal in thermal electric generating stations are major sources. With the current energy crisis and the resulting increased reliance on coal as a power source, the acid rain problem is likely to intensify unless appropriate control measures are taken.

,Most problems arise and occur in Central Canada, but the impacts are spreading. Research has shown that high sulfate contaminated air masses move from the Great Lakes to Nova Scotia giving the Maritimes acid rain. In Alberta, sour gas processing and tar sands development will be major problems in the future. Harmful emissions will likely increase by 28 percent in the next 6 years, according to the federal government.

Further information about the conference is available from the Canadian Nature Federation, 75 Albert Street, Ottawa; telephone 238-6154 or the Federation of Ontario Naturalists, 355 Lesmill Road, Don Mills; telephone 444—8419.