This year I am optimistic because Ontario, the province which I have chosen to live in, has become one of the leading regions in North America by the passing of Bill 150 The Ontario Green Energy and Economy Act. This piece of progressive public policy in Ontario is the result of two major stakeholders:
The first is by the tireless efforts of the renewable and distributed energy stakeholders in Ontario, namely, The Community Power Fund, The Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, The Toronto Renewable Energy Co-operative and their respective stakeholders. These organizations have been working to make locally distributed and renewable energy accessible to Ontarians for the last 10-15 years and they have now formed the Green Energy Act Alliance to act as a lobbying group, with considerable clout and brand appeal, to inform our public servants and the community about the benefits of renewable energy and green economies for Ontario.
The second major stakeholder is The Government of Ontario, namely, Dalton McGuinty (Ontario’s Premier) and George Smitherman (Minister of Energy and Infrastructure). This government has been very receptive and open to the green energy movement in Ontario and has listened to stakeholders about envisioning a new energy paradigm in Ontario that is clean, renewable, decarbonized, sustainable and will create thousands of jobs in the new green economy. Dalton McGuinty has recently been awarded the Best Regional Politician by TreeHugger.com’s first annual Best of Green: Business and Politics Competition.
Since his election, Dalton McGuinty has:
“On the energy front: …closed coal fired power plants and promised to eliminate coal from the province by 2014, changed the rules to encourage alternative energy, and is introducing a controversial but important green energy plan. Not only that but he declared a green belt the size of the Province of Prince Edward Island; and recently announced a massive investment in rapid transit for Toronto (TreeHugger.Com, 2009).”
What does Bill 150 mean for Ontario and our future Energy mix? Well, there are four key policy initiatives which you should be aware of:
1. Enhanced policy commitment to conservation, smart grid and renewable: This means that the Ontario Energy Board will have expanded objectives that they must adhere to regarding energy conservation, grid infrastructure renewal, and the inclusion of renewable energy into the supply mix.
2. Enabling feed-in tariffs to procure renewable: This means that the government will pay a standard price for renewable energy that is generated by small and large-scale producers. Feed-in tariffs (FITs) are the most cost-effective way to procure renewable energy as demonstrated in Europe. The FITs that are being proposed are the highest Ontario has ever seen and spur rapid development of renewable energy projects and increase green jobs in this province.
3. Guaranteeing and prioritizing connection of renewable energy: Renewable energy will finally be given priority access to our energy grid.
4. Streamlining approvals while protecting neighbouring uses: This will help to reduce the bureaucracy involved with connecting to the grid for renewable energy producers, while also protecting the public’s investment into our energy infrastructure.
If you would like more information about Bill 150 please the site for the Green Energy Act Alliance or the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.
Also, you should get involved more with your energy usage. Why not start conserving your home’s energy and tapping into the tax rebates the government is offering on home renovations? Why not make your home a net energy producer by installing solar hot water or solar cells on your roof? Those seeking to learn how to do a household or community power project should visit the OSEA site and get involved. Why not write your local MPP or Dalton McGuinty and tell him you support this wonderful initiative to produce clean, green, and sustainable energy for Ontario, while reducing our carbon footprint?
This is going to be a good year for renewable energy in Ontario. I too have renewed energy for the power of grassroots movements and the power of progressive governments to make change!!!
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Steven Pacifico is the Manager of Sustainability & Stakeholder Engagement at The Delphi Group and Guest Blogger here at ARC.
