In general, Ontario should…

In general, Ontario should be developing renewables and conservation measures. Specifically on electricity:

- Do NOT refurbish any of the nuclear plants in operation, and don't build new reactors at Darlington. Reject OPG's request to continue Pickering after 2018. Let the Pickering nuclear plant cease power production and prepare decommissioning. It is too costly, and we have enough nuclear waste already, we do not need more.

- Do submit the Bruce nuclear deal to public scrutiny through an Ontario Energy Board review.

- Do set up long-term contracts with Quebec to buy their hydro-electricity. The recent deal to buy two terawatt-hours per year from Quebec is a small step in the right direction. It is much cheaper and better for the environment than nuclear. Upgrade transmission capacity between Ontario and Quebec.

- Do keep time-of-day pricing on electricity. Do NOT remove the provincial portion of the HST on electricity bills. Subsidizing energy use is just another way to encourage more energy use. Subsidize energy conservation. Even better, return the provincial portion of the HST on electricity to low income households, ensuring that the revenue matches the rebate.

- Do set up new government procurement programs for renewables and conservation. Axing the renewable energy programs in September was a mistake, especially when it looks like you want to pursue nuclear. It simply does not make sense for the government to insist that more solar and wind power are not needed but nuclear is needed.

[Original Comment ID: 206314]