The International Group Inc,…

The International Group Inc, hereinafter referred to as “IGI”, is an entity in the wax production sector in Canada with one facility located in Scarborough, Ontario. IGI appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks’ (MECP) Emissions Performance Standards (EPS) regulatory proposal. Under the EPS program, IGI meets the proposed voluntary threshold of 10,000 tonnes of CO2e and therefore would be eligible to become a Voluntary Participant. The purpose of these comments is to provide IGI’s feedback on the proposed EPS design features as well as to bring IGI and its sector to the attention of the MECP for potential voluntary participation in the EPS program.

2.0 - Program Scope

2.1 Regulated Sectors
Ontario is proposing to regulate the same sectors covered by the Federal OBPS as well as considering including additional sectors not currently covered under the OBPS (such as Institutions, Greenhouse operators and Thermal Energy supply). IGI would like to bring to the MECP’s attention that facilities in sectors initially not covered under the OBPS have the opportunity to apply to become voluntary OBPS participants under Part 2 of the Policy regarding voluntary participation in the Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS). As a result, IGI is currently in the process of applying to opt-in to the OBPS to receive cost relief from the fuel charge under the Federal Backstop. IGI’s sector has been included in the list of eligible activities for OBPS participation in Appendix A of the policy, and IGI is now waiting for its application to be approved in order proceed with the registration process to receive an Exemption Certificate.

According to the information provided at the EPS stakeholder engagement sessions for the manufacturing sector, if the EPS program is approved and replaces the Federal OBPS, facilities with Exemption Certificates can transfer from the OBPS to be regulated under the EPS. If IGI acquires an Exemption Certificate under the Federal OBPS and the Ontario EPS program is in place and applies retroactively as of January 1, 2019, IGI would like the option to opt-in to the Ontario EPS program and not automatically be transferred as a result of having an Exemption Certificate.

Additionally, if the EPS replaces the Federal OBPS and applies retroactively as of January 1, 2019, there is a potential overlap in compliance for entities such as IGI and therefore these entities may be double charged for a fraction of their emissions. As mentioned above, IGI is in the process of applying to become a Voluntary Participant in the OBPS stream of the Federal Backstop. Until the application is approved and the Exemption Certificate is granted, IGI will be required to pay the fuel charge until the Exemption Certificate is issued and provided to IGI’s fuel suppliers. Therefore, if the EPS does indeed replace the OBPS with a retroactive compliance as of January 1, 2019, then IGI would comply twice on their emissions for the period from the start of the Carbon Levy (April 1st) until the date the Exemption Certificate is effective and provided to fuel suppliers to stop charging the fuel charge. For this reason, it is suggested that MECP works with ECCC and CRA to develop a methodology for returning the fuel charge or excluding that period from IGI’s compliance obligation under the EPS. It is important that a smooth transition can be made from the OBPS to the EPS with one compliance obligation to the provinces. Voluntary facilities should not be penalized with double compliance costs as a result of changing regulations mid-year.

Section 2.3 – Emissions Threshold
IGI supports MECP’s proposal to include a 10,000 tonnes per year threshold to allow smaller facilities to voluntarily participate in the program. In addition, it is IGI’s perspective that the threshold for mandatory participation should be set at 50,000 tonnes per year and not 25,000. This will help to achieve greater equivalency with the Federal OBPS program and increase flexibility for medium-sized facilities such as IGI. IGI would like to see the inclusion of an option to opt-out of the EPS program for voluntary participants. The option to exit the program would provide smaller facilities with flexibility to assess the most cost-effective route to reducing GHG emissions and remain competitive in Ontario.

3.0 Emissions Performance Standards

Section 3.1.3 - Alternatives to Sector Based Performance Standards
IGI supports the development of energy use intensity and facility-specific emission intensity methodologies for emission limit calculations. MECP’s proposal of establishing a process to allow facilities with an energy use intensity methodology to switch to a facility-specific emission intensity method instead if a suitable product for intensity can be identified is also supported by IGI.

4.0 Compliance Flexibility

Availability of Compliance Units
IGI supports the use of different compliance units as a lower cost compliance option for facilities regulated in the EPS. Facilities should have the ability to trade or bank these units indefinitely, which could be used for a compliance entity’s future compliance obligations. The EPS program should ensure availability and access to lower costs compliance units.

The MECP is proposing to use payments for compliance units from industries that do not meet the standards to contribute to an emissions reduction fund that industry can access to invest in new reduction technologies. Access to funding would incentivise emission reduction and energy efficiency projects at the facility level. Clarity on funding (i.e. how it will be distributed, eligible projects and programs etc.) can help to reduce increased carbon costs concerns and facilitate budgeting.

5.0 Compliance Obligation

Harmonizing the Reporting and Verification Requirements
With respect to the reporting and verification requirements under the EPS, IGI supports the harmonization with the federal reporting set out under the federal production Order and the Federal OBPS methods, threshold and verification. The streamlining of the reporting and verification requirements will reduce additional costs and administrative burdens for regulated entities.

6.0 Competitiveness and Carbon Leakage Assessment

Separation of Stringency Factors based on Emissions
IGI supports different stringency factors applying to fixed process and non-fixed process emissions and the recognition that reductions from fixed process emissions are not feasible without impacting production. Facilities should not face significant costs especially at the early stages of the program.