Dear Honorable Minister…

Dear Honorable Minister Glenn Thibeault,

RE: Ontario’s Long Term Energy Plan (LTEP)

As an Ontarian, I support a LTEP that is supportive, more aligned and in synch with Ontario’s vision of a healthy environment.  This vision is described in many of Ontario’s legislations and strategies such as:

- Environmental Bill of Right (EBR) which purposes are:

- to protect, conserve and restore the integrity of the environment;

- To provide sustainability of the environment; and

- To protect the right to a healthful environment

- Ontario’s Climate Change Strategy which confirms Ontario’s commitment to combat climate change; - Green Energy Act which was created to expand renewable energy generation, encourage energy conservation and promote the creation of clean energy jobs;

- The Climate Change Mitigation and Low-Carbon Economy Act which purpose is to reduce greenhouse gas and protect the environment; and

- Green Energy and Green Economy Act which main purpose is to develop Ontario’s green industry.

The current LTEP is almost a misfit to Ontario’s vision.  In order to further align the LTEP to the vision, I support gradually increasing the use of renewable energy until Ontario becomes 100% renewable.

In 2015, 58% of Ontario’s electricity was generated by nuclear energy. This is of particular concern.  Radioactive nuclear wastes are harmful to the environment, as well as all life.  Further, there are risks associated with nuclear energy.  A Fukushima type accident could occur.  At a minimal nuclear projects need to be independently and publicly reviewed.

Another reason why Ontario should invest more in renewable energy is because the world has already entered into the age of renewables (http://www.businessinsider.com/citi-the-age-of-renewables-is-beginning--2014-3).  Eventually, nuclear and other types of energy will become outdated and harder to maintain and therefore more costly; whereas renewable energy will be in high demand and thus less expensive ((http://www.100reontario.org/img/costs-large.jpg).

Ontario should join the growing global movement of communities that have pledged to go 100% renewable by mid-century.  Prior to last year’s Paris climate summit, over 1000 communities committed to transition to 100% renewable energy.  In the United States, 17 cities, including San Francisco, San Diego, and Boulder, have already committed to go 100% renewable.  In Canada, both Vancouver and  Ontario’s own, Oxford County pledged to go 100% renewable.

100% renewable is possible, Ontario is already producing about a quarter of its electricity from large hydro stations like Niagara Falls.  With the cost of renewables dropping, Ontario can continue to develop sources like wind, solar and biogas, and explore the option of importing low-cost hydro power Quebec. Ontario should empower its citizens and communities to become energy self-sufficient; help the traditional energy industry to transition to 100% renewable, as well as continue to develop its green energy economy.  The Green Energy and Green Economy Act has helped created a green economy in Ontario and develop ten of thousands of jobs.  Ontario needs to continue to support green energy, otherwise these jobs are at stake.  Walking away from green energy would also see emissions from Ontario’s electricity sector rise after having invested heavily in its decline in the past decade. This will affect Ontario’s ability to fight climate change and be contradictory to the Climate Change Mitigation and Low-Carbon Economy Act.  It will also mean missing out on one of the largest global economic opportunities, as around the world renewable energy continue to soar.

To reach 100% renewable, the top priority should be to reduce energy demand, followed by emphasizing conservation and then moving to 100% renewables. At the same time, empowering Ontarians to become energy self-sufficient and produce energy locally.  Ontario should also help traditional energy industry transition to 100% renewable, and continue to develop its green energy economy, particularly in the field of energy storage. The above will hugely help Ontario meet its environmental vision and related legislations, plans and strategies.

Lastly, the majority of Ontarians vote for green energy.  In a recent poll (http://environmentaldefence.ca/report/getting-fit/), 81% of Ontarians ask that Ontario continue to develop renewable energy sources.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

[Original Comment ID: 202707]