Thank you for the…

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on ERO 019-8307 – Bill 165 (Keeping Energy Costs Down Act, 2024).

Planning and Economic Development Department staff have reviewed Bill 165 and will be presenting a report to the City of Hamilton Planning Committee on April 16, 2024 on this matter. Planning and Economic and Development Department staff will forward Council’s decision on this matter to the Province.

In the interim, please be advised of the following. On February 14, 2024, Hamilton City Council adopted a motion in support of the decision of the Ontario Energy Board to end gas pipeline subsidies. Hamilton City Council specifically confirmed support for the decision of the Ontario Energy Board to establish a revenue horizon of zero years for new residential connections to the natural gas distribution system given that there is a growing risk of stranded assets due to the anticipated transition of customers away from natural gas and towards low/no carbon options for heating and cooling of residential homes.

While the use of natural gas for energy intensive can play an important role in the decarbonization transition for agricultural and industrial operations, the intent of Bill 165 focuses on the residential consumer and is contrary to City Council’s February 14, 2024 stated position of supporting the Ontario Energy Board decision. As such, as per City Council’s position on this matter, please be advised that the City does not support Bill 165 but rather recommends that the Province of Ontario defer further consideration of Bill 165 until such time as the Province has adopted a natural gas policy strategy to guide decision making around the decarbonization path for both natural gas providers as well as natural gas users .