The OEA recommends that the…

The OEA recommends that the government appoint a single Minister to establish an overall hydrogen vision with an incremental approach that includes clear targets and milestones. The Minister should be supported by relevant ministries and agencies to coordinate government actions in the development of a policy and regulatory framework (e.g., with the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, the Ontario Energy Board, Ministry of Transportation, Independent Electricity System Operator) to leverage policy expertise, funding mechanisms, ensure that policies do not work at cross purposes, and ensure value-for-money for consumers, ratepayers, and taxpayers.

There are many further advantages to an integrated and coordinated approach, including:

• Identifying, assessing, and removing red tape and regulatory burdens (including electricity market rules) hindering hydrogen pilot projects (e.g., power-to-gas, blending, transportation fuel-switching, refueling stations)
• Identifying, assessing, and leveraging successful pilot projects into broader policy action to further deploy hydrogen to areas that maximize environmental benefits as well as value to consumers, ratepayers, and taxpayers; and,
• The ability to transparently communicate both the benefits and costs to the public of different applications of hydrogen.

The OEA looks forward to further engagements and discussions on next steps for advancing a low-carbon hydrogen strategy for Ontario.