I deeply concerned with…

I deeply concerned with regard to the Ontario government’s proposal to repeal provisions in the Electricity Act and the Ontario Energy Board Act that promote and prioritize renewable energy for the following reasons:

-We are in a climate emergency
-Climate targets cannot be met without renewables
-This is out of step with what the world is doing
-It is a backwards step for Ontario

The International Energy Agency (IEA) report just released Net Zero by 2050 states “Renewable energy technologies like solar and wind are the key to reducing emissions in the electricity sector, which is today the single largest source of CO2 emissions.- it is recommending increasing renewable energy.[1]

Prioritizing the development of clean renewable energy – both within Ontario and by connecting Ontario to Quebec hydro power - has multiple benefits for Ontario and Ontarians:

- Reduce Ontarians’ electricity bills. According to the International Energy Agency, onshore wind and solar are now the lowest cost sources of new electricity supply in most countries and these costs are projected to continue falling. Quebec Hydro power at the offered cost of 5c per kwh is also significantly cheaper than the 9.6c per kwh for nuclear energy, a cost that is projected to rise to pay for the refurbishment of nuclear power plants.[2]

- Provide job and educational opportunities. Renewable energy sources are the energy systems of the future. Young people in Ontario should have the same opportunity as their global peers to learn about renewable energy and train for the jobs they will provide.

- Attract investors and research talent. By prioritizing renewable energy, Ontario could position itself as a clean energy leader. Failing to do will so, while other jurisdictions such as the United States invest trillions in renewable energy, will only put Ontario farther and farther behind.

- Provide health benefits. Investment in renewable energy will reduce air pollution thereby improving the health of communities across Ontario and reducing public health expenditure.[3]

- Enable Ontario to play its part in ensuring that Canada reaches its new climate target of 45% emission reductions by 2030 and net-zero by 2050. It bears repeating that failing to prioritize renewable energy will make meeting this crucial target extremely difficult

Given all these benefits, I ask that you urge the provincial government to reconsider its proposal to eliminate provisions to prioritize renewable energy. For the sake of all Ontarians and particularly the children of Ontario, it is crucial that this province prioritize a clean energy future.

[1] IEA (2021), Net Zero by 2050, IEA, Paris https://www.iea.org/reports/net-zero-by-2050(link is external)

[2] Ontario Clean Air Alliance, Phasing Out Ontario’s Gas-Fired Power Plants: A Road Map (April 2020, updated Jan 2021): 6
[3] “Health and climate benefits of different energy-efficiency and renewable energy choices.” Jonathan J. Buonocore, Patrick Luckow, Gregory Norris, John D. Spengler, Bruce Biewald, Jeremy Fisher, and Jonathan I. Levy. Nature Climate Change volume 6, pages100–105 (2016)