First, a word of…

First, a word of appreciation that many of the energy conservation and efficiency components of the Green Energy Act are being maintained in the Electricity Act. This is a good, low-cost way to bring down emissions.

But, as the International Panel on Climate Change report and many other recent analysis indicates, a combination of both energy efficiency and clean energy make up a large part of the changes necessary to keep global warming down. I want to reinforce that it is imperative to ramp up investment in and uptake of renewables and clean technology on science-dictated timelines. I also want to voice the concern that clean energy/renewables should displace fossil fuels in our energy mix.

Shifting our vehicles and our buildings heating and cooling systems to renewable energy sources on a science-dictated timeline is key to protecting both the climate and our economy. Choosing to act effectively on climate change, means our electricity use will increase and it is important that our electricity mix is green and that the infrastructure is there to handle the increase. Encouraging renewables like solar, wind, geothermal and energy storage is super-important!

With the above facts in mind, the emphasis in the Repeal of the Green Energy Act, on “[putting] authority in the EPA to prohibit issuance of REAs including where demand for electricity is not demonstrated,” is troubling. Will the same rules apply to fossil fuel energy projects?

I know that the price of renewables has come down and is now competitive with other forms of energy and that our energy bills will not be significantly lowered (if at all) because the green energy act is repealed. In fact, I believe the two lowest cost forms of energy would now be exporting clean energy from Quebec and wind energy.

I also think it's important that Ontario continues to maximize the jobs and economic benefits that being a leader in clean tech and renewables creates. We should not be discouraging green industry, as has already occurred because of the manner that support for ongoing and new green initiatives has been withdrawn. Instead, we should find ways to support green innovation and speed the adoption of renewables and clean technology.