As its name suggests, I want…

As its name suggests, I want the province to look forward with its Long-Term Energy Plan (LTEP). Ontario is headed in the right direction with its new waste management strategy (Bill 151 - Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act passed in June 2016), and I believe we should continue this environmentally-friendly, job creation-focused approach with the energy plan.

Ontario's next energy plan must ensure that there are full and fair comparisons of our energy options - evaluations that consider the total costs of nuclear with alternatives, and renewable energy in particular. The costs of nuclear are climbing and the costs of renewables will continue to decline. We must consider job creation potential as well as the very serious potential climate change implications of our energy choices.

Ontario should also be focusing on reducing the amount of surplus energy we create (especially at the Pickering nuclear station) and prioritizing conservation. A recent study showed that we could cost-effectively reduce electricity demand by 30 percent by 2035. Particularly given the climbing costs of energy bills, I believe a conservation approach could really appeal to Ontario residents and be successful.

Finally, I think the LTEP should allow communities, and First Nations in particular, to become energy producers. Communities should be empowered to generate their own electricity, particularly in areas where doing so could reduce burden on infrastructure (powerlines, etc.) and reduce cost burden on remote, rural, and/or lower income people. This could also benefit communities that rely on seasonal residents/visitors (cottagers, etc.) as their running costs will be lower (lower or eliminated "delivery" costs when they are not living there), which will free up that spending to be spent in the community, such as supporting local businesses or fundraising events.

[Original Comment ID: 205061]