What principles should the…

What principles should the government provide to the OEB to help inform the Board’s ongoing development of natural gas connection policies?
The primary principle for the OEB to follow with respect to the development of natural gas connection policies for Ontarians is that Climate Change must be considered a priority in every decision made.​ The OEB should look to other countries, ideally the UK, the EU, the US and China, to emulate what they are doing to reduce GHG emissions while increasing their electricity and heat energy supply.
Ontarians desperately need the government of Ontario and the OEB to transition to locally generated, non-polluting renewable energy, and energy storage, along with policies and methods to decarbonize buildings (such as with heat pumps).

What role should natural gas play in supporting energy affordability and customer choice in residential and small commercial applications (e.g., space and water heating)?
As there are alternatives to natural gas that are more affordable and less polluting, the role of natural gas in heating residential and small commercial buildings must be minimized, ​until it is eliminated entirely. Preference should be given to modern, cost effective and non-polluting solutions such as geo-exchange (ground-source) and air-source heat pumps.

What role should natural gas play in supporting economic development in Ontario’s industrial and agricultural sectors, including those processes that may be difficult to electrify?
As there are alternatives to natural gas that are more affordable and less polluting, the role of natural gas in Ontario’s industrial and agricultural sectors must be minimized, ​until it is eliminated entirely.

What role should the government play in supporting and expediting the rational expansion of the natural gas system to make home heating more affordable and support economic growth in communities that are seeking natural gas service?
The government of Ontario can ensure home heating is more affordable by NOT expanding the natural gas system, instead developing policies to encourage the use of energy efficient, cost effective, non-polluting heat pumps. The government of Ontario needs to get out of the way and let the OEB do their job.

For natural gas expansion projects receiving government support, should the approvals processes be streamlined to support affordable home heating for Ontarians? In what ways?
Natural gas should only be expanded into those areas where there are no other alternatives. Such a situation does not exist, as heat pumps can be installed anywhere.

What role should natural gas play in supporting power system security and resiliency?
As natural gas power generation is not the most cost effective or environmentally friendly solution, it should not be considered a favoured source of electricity generation.

What role should natural gas play in offsetting higher GHG-emitting fuel sources?
​Natural gas has very high GHG emissions, with 80x greater potency than CO2, which makes it at least as dangerous as coal. Natural gas does not offset other GHG emitting sources.

What are the challenges and opportunities for enhanced energy efficiency, adoption of clean fuels (e.g., RNG, Hydrogen) and emission reduction methods (e.g., carbon capture and storage) to lower emissions in the natural gas system?
There is no reason to attempt to lower the emissions from the natural gas system as cleaner, more affordable solutions already exist and are being successfully used around the world. From EVs, to renewables and heat pumps, there is little-to-no use for natural gas going forward. Ontario’s natural gas network should be shrunk year over year going forward.