This amendment is not needed…

This amendment is not needed and should be totally scrapped.

The OEB was established to be independent of political interference and base its decisions on hard evidence. Their phase 1 decision is evidence based. Their proposal to use non-fossil-fuel energy sources is evidence based as the more fiscally responsible route to engage for a better energy future in Ontario.

This amendment will result in current gas users subsidizing the profits of the main gas supplier in Ontario (Enbridge). This amendment encourages installation of gas lines that will be obsolete within a decade when other sources of power supply and generation are currently available (purchasing hydro power form Quebec, investing in wind and solar with battery storage, engaging vehicle to grid emergency supply, etc.). Electric School buses are used in other jurisdictions as emergency grid supply in the off hours and because of their predictable daily runs, are a huge potential for grid backup.

Under the proposed amendment with pipelines and gas hookups, Ontarians will be saddled with a stranded asset.

This amendment ensures these stranded assets will be billed to and paid for by the citizens of Ontario to keep the gas supplier in business with a healthy profit.

The OEB needs to remain independent and not have its research overruled by a politician who is a politically biased and politically appointed Minister. Political biases can limit the options considered for creating a better, healthier Ontario. The OEB needs to remain independent of political control.

This amendment appears to come out of a politically myopic intent to take control of what is intended to be a politically independent board and "do nothing" about the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions. There are many alternatives, as the independent OEB decision revealed, to burning fossil fuels for home heating.