December X, 2016 Ministry…

December X, 2016

Ministry of Energy

Environmental Bill of Rights Registration # 012-8840

Via: ltep@ontario.ca

Re: I want Ontario to go 100% renewable

To whom it may concern,

I want Ontario’s next Long-Term Energy Plan (LTEP) to acknowledge that going 100% renewable is a feasible option for Ontario’s energy future.

More and more communities, countries and companies are opting to go 100% renewable.   Ontario’s next energy plan should put policies in place to allow citizens, communities and First Nations to go 100% renewable.

Put Conservation First

To tackle climate change and minimize our environmental footprint, I think Ontario’s next energy plan should make conservation and efficiency the first priority for all energy decisions.

A recent government study showed we have the potential to cost-effectively reduce electricity demand by 30% by 2035.

I think the government should go after all cost-effective conservation.

Empower Communities and Citizens to go 100% Renewable

Ontario’s next energy plan should empower everyone from citizens and co-ops to municipalities and First Nations to become energy producers.

It should empower communities like Oxford County that want to go 100% renewable.

Be honest and transparent on Nuclear Costs

The biggest barrier to shifting Ontario to 100% renewable energy is the government’s current dedication to nuclear power.

While the cost of renewables keeps declining, the cost of nuclear power has only kept skyrocketing. Despite this, the government’s past energy plans have made no requirement for nuclear projects to undergo public review against alternatives. This needs to change , and now instead of someday or later.

Ontario’s next energy plan needs to guarantee there are a full and fair comparisons of the total costs of nuclear with alternatives and an opportunity for the public to be consulted about which approach they prefer.

Close Pickering

Ontario’s 2013 energy plan committed to close the Pickering nuclear station between 2017 and 2020, but earlier this year the government announced they would break their promise and keep operating Pickering until 2024.

Almost all of Pickering’s output is surplus and exported to Michigan at a loss.  This is driving up energy costs.

Pickering’s continued operation also puts the public in serious danger. Ontario has not modernized its nuclear emergency plans since the Fukushima disaster.

I want the government to to fulfill its promise to close Pickering before 2020.

Shutting Pickering down should be a big first step in Ontario’s long-term transition to renewable energy.

Sincerely,

Brad Jones

#803 11211 85 Street Edmonton , AB T5B 4T7

[Original Comment ID: 206084]