Given that in the Minister's…

Given that in the Minister's message, he indicates that we "have a robust supply of all forms of energy for at least the next 10 years.... a clean and diverse electricity supply mix... vision and direction on future clean prosperity", I would like to offer my observations and suggestions, below.

 

- remove wind energy from Ontario's portfolio, and cancel the wind portion of the LRP1s - even without this additional 299.5MW of proposed wind energy, we have 878.2MW of green energy "comitted and contracted" that we have not started to pay for on our electricity bills, yet - 565MW of which is wind generation.  The "hidden costs" of wind energy are extreme: from the contracted price paid, indexed to cost of living over 20years, provincial subsidies, generation out of sinc with need, curtailment costs when the grid is full, additional natural gas costs associated because when the wind doesn't blow, natural gas frequently provides back-up (and so it "idles" in the background), and the costs associated with curtailing water-based hydro, which is also "green", available year-round, readily available in Ontario and much less expensive.

 

Industrial Wind Turbines bring many associated "evils" to the rural communities in which they are located, not the least of which are: problems with "noise", light-flicker, property devaluation in close proximity, negative effects on wells, etc. The by-products of producing the "rare-earth magnets" (200-250 kg /MW), essential to the turbine, leave dangerous, acidic, toxic slag heaps behind in the communities in which they are manufactured - far from Ontario, because of the lax environmental laws in the countries that produce the rare earth magnets.  They are not as "green" as most people think.

 

If "Industrial Wind Turbines" are a good idea 550m from the center of my home in rural-residential Ontario, they are a good idea for the parks in Toronto - some of which are 600acres plus (Hyde Park).  There won't be nearly as much "line-lost" electricity if wind turbines are placed closer to where the electricity is actually needed.  (They are not a good idea there either, but maybe placing a few "groupings" would have those who are die-hard fans, convinced that there are some significant drawbacks.)

 

Take a look at some of the other new "green technologies", coming onto the market e.g. Invelox, as possible applications for 10-20 years in the future, when the existing wind turbines are no longer functioning, if you want people to support the concept.  They could be located closer to where electricity is needed, and will more closely resemble some existing city "towers".

 

Wind and solar are not "made in Ontario solutions".  The wind resource is simply not available (except on the great lakes and far north) and our northern location makes solar production less viable.

 

- Invest in Research & Storage Options - we don't need more generation, we simply need to be able to store what is being produced, rather than giving it away to our friends in the northern states at bargain-basement prices.  If you look across the border, you will easily locate some of our "missing" Ontario manufacturing and agricultural businesses.  Why would they pay Ontario prices when they can move across the water and pay a fraction of the cost.

 

- Repeal the Green Energy and Economy Act, 2009  - It has a "dictatorial effect", with no significant increase in available "Green Energy" (we are curtailing water-based hydro to add it), and it has had a detrimental effect on the economy in Ontario, as fewer and fewer businesses can afford to remain in Ontario, because of the high cost of electricity, the fees hidden in the Global Adjustment portion of our bills, etc.  Give Municipalities a say again in the decisions we elect them to oversee.  Municipal input is essential in a democracy.  Community engagement, from our rural perspective, was only a consideration if/when we agreed with proponents who shoved their projects onto our communities - if we disagreed, our "community input" was ignored!  Less than 4% of a community should not override the wishes of the elected officials or the other 96%.

 

- remove solar-powered energy from provincial funding process- if I want to use solar-powered electricity, allow me to pay for my own project and reap the rewards on my own property (no connection to the grid).  With the advancements in new "battery/ storage" options, many of us in rural and remote locations might choose an option like Invelox or Solar Panels with storage capacity, over the cost of electricity we now pay.  This might also cut back on the need for new lines to deliver electricity to rural and remote areas.  The cost of electricity for "residential, low density" customers is prohibitive.  We need other viable options, not more electricity.

 

- continue the emphasis on conservation and demand-management before building new generation as one of the top principles.

 

- existing water-generated hydro should form the base of our "green energy" investment.  Continue involvement with clean electricity trading with other provinces

 

- Invest in research with respect to Nuclear power generation and new ways of re-using/recycling by-products

 

- provide advice, comparitive product assessments and rebates towards home energy efficiency retrofits.  Many of us in older homes would love to have the most current information on what to do first, as we are able to save money to put towards retrofitting our homes - the goal being "net zero" buildings.  Offer incentives for new builds, especially with respect to insulation and window options, to access greater energy efficiency.  The announced investment of $100 million as part of the Climate Change Strategy to enhance existing home energy audits and retrofit programs is not enough, when we consider that only 100MW of wind will generate $22,800,000 annually in income for a foreign-owned wind company such as EDP.  In less than 5 years, their profit could cover the entire $100 million investment - Ontario's investment of $100 million in retrofits is not much by comparison.

 

- combine microgrids and invest in new storage options, especially for rural and remote communities

 

- require early notification and consultation with First Nations communities, prior to introducing "forced" solutions

 

Thank you for seeking input.

 

Margaret Benke

 

[Original Comment ID: 207157]