What principles should the…

What principles should the government provide to the OEB to help inform the Board’s ongoing development of natural gas connection policies?

The principle of phasing out fossil gas as quickly as possible in favour of renewables that don't harm the environment.
The principle of providing the most affordable energy sources, which are NEVER fossil gas, oil or nuclear

What role should natural gas play in supporting energy affordability and customer choice in residential and small commercial applications (e.g., space and water heating)?

Since fossil gas does NOT support energy affordability, it should be phased out as buildings are retrofitted. New buildings of any type should not be allowed to have a gas hook-up.

What role should natural gas play in supporting economic development in Ontario’s industrial and agricultural sectors, including those processes that may be difficult to electrify?

Ontario should support the development of electrical vehicles of all kinds so natural gas use can be phased out as soon as possible.

What role should the government play in supporting and expediting the rational expansion of the natural gas system to make home heating more affordable and support economic growth in communities that are seeking natural gas service?

None whatever. Communities are only seeking gas service where they have been lied to.

For natural gas expansion projects receiving government support, should the approvals processes be streamlined to support affordable home heating for Ontarians? In what ways?

Any expansion of natural gas projects would be wrong. It is expensive and contributing in a big way to the climate crisis. Start by cancelling the Portlands expansion; Toronto has voted repeatedly against it. About 250,000 residents would be affected by the bad air quality it would cause. It is already running far too much.

What role should natural gas play in supporting power system security and resiliency?

As limited as possible until wind, solar, geothermal and district heating not based on gas take its place 100%.

What role should natural gas play in offsetting higher GHG-emitting fuel sources?

It is a high GHG emitting fuel source and its continued use is unacceptable.

What are the challenges and opportunities for enhanced energy efficiency, adoption of clean fuels (e.g., RNG, Hydrogen) and emission reduction methods (e.g., carbon capture and storage) to lower emissions in the natural gas system?

Stop wasting money fixing an obsolete system. And there is no research showing carbon capture is worth the cost.

General comment: I worked in the Ontario government for 21 years, including in policy development. Anyone drafting such a horribly one-sided consultation document would have been fired. These questions are disgusting and totally unprofessional.