1.True Energy Plan - We are…

1.True Energy Plan - We are pleased to note that unlike the 2013 LTEP which was almost entirely focused on electricity, this is a more balanced energy plan with more focus on fuels as well as electricity.

2.Conservation First - We are shocked to see that in the Discussion Guide, the section on conservation is in the middle of the last section.  In the 2013 LTEP, the section on Conservation was the second chapter and was titled “Putting Conservation First”.  We strongly recommend that the LTEP reaffirm the government’s commitment to Conservation First, not 6th!

3.Importance of Existing Buildings – While it is important to ensure that any new buildings are built to meet ever improving minimum energy efficiency standards, it is critical that there be even more focus on existing building.  As new buildings typically contribute 1-1.5% to the building stock every year, more than 75% of the building stock in 2030 will have been built before 2015.

4.Separate Section on Institutional Buildings – The buildings that the Ontario government owns/leases as well as those of the Broader Public Sector (BPS - Municipalities, Schools, Universities/Hospitals and Hospitals) produced 4.2 MT of GHGs or about 3% of Ontario’s total (see p. 5 of attached “White Paper”).  While this is significant on its own, even more important is the example that these buildings can and must set.  The Ontario government must be a leader in reducing its own emissions.  Progress has been made but much more remains to be done.  We therefore strongly recommend that there be a separate section in the LTEP on the governments past actions, current targets and future plans.

5.Important Role of Guaranteed Energy Service Performance Contracts in Institutional Buildings  We were pleased that the government’s Climate Change Action Plan recognized the important role that these contracts play by recommending that “the government will enable the use of energy performance contracts in the Ontario Public Service”.  We strongly recommend that the government also ensure that these contracts are used by the BPS to dramatically increase the energy efficiency of these existing buildings.  As noted in the attached “White Paper”, experience over the last 30 years has shown that these contracts result in more comprehensive and deeper energy efficiency upgrades, are turnkey, avoid need for multiple contracts/ responsibilities, can reduce pressure on capital, the energy savings are guaranteed and are not more expensive than traditional approaches.

6.Infrastructure Renewal Funded Through Energy Savings - ESPCs have also been proven to be an effective way to finance infrastructure renewal priorities.  This is done by extending the typical term of these contracts so that the energy savings achieved in the additional years added to the contract are used to finance non-energy infrastructure renewal investments.

[Original Comment ID: 206873]