I am a 37 year old…

I am a 37 year old professional engineer working in the buildings engineering consulting industry where the goal of seeing commercial Net Zero buildings in Ontario, seems to be on the horizon. This is thanks to many factors, but one is ambitious targets for energy consumption in our Building Codes.

I'm taking the time to write you this because I strongly believe that 100% renewable energy is the type of ambitious policy thinking that is best for our province. I know from following the work of Standford professor Marc Jacobson, as well as industry leaders in renewable energy technologies, that these aren't pipe dream ideas. I also understand a bit about the hidden social costs of nuclear energy (how much carbon goes into building and operating a plant and who will underwrite a nuclear power plant), so I don't believe that Nuclear should be part of the future. I won't even waste my breath on fossil fuels (other than to point out the obvious, that there is no rational or moral argument for investing in more fossil fuels when you consider 100% renewable energy as possible)

I am a passionate Canadian and I feel very strongly that without government policy that somewhat reflects public opinion, our democracy becomes a sham. Public pressure on the forming of this policy may be the only democratic instrument within the larger interplay of private actors that can end up affecting all Ontarians. As such, crafting a policy that reflects what the people want, as opposed to strong private lobbies, is fundamental to a healthy and functioning society. You are our gate keepers, please deliver strong leadership! Thank you.

[Original Comment ID: 204993]