Comment
As an Enbridge customer, making me pay for the costs of Enbridge's planned future infrastructure will cost me. I do not want to subsidize the expansion of Natural Gas.
1) It is not appropriate for me to subsidize the expansion of Natural Gas infrastructure for others.
They need to pay their own way.
2) Ontario needs to REDUCE the consumption of Natural Gas, not expand it. It is absurd to add
infrastructure now.
3) Connecting homes to electricity only (no Natural Gas) is less burdensome for municipalities to
provide land and to coordinate the buildout and maintenance. Cold climate heat pumps are now
more than able to provide heat to well insulated buildings. This is simpler and less expensive.
4) Don't add infrastructure that will soon be stranded. This is absurd!
If you are in a hole "STOP DIGGING"
* New homes installed air-source heat pumps instead of Enbridge's methane gas, home owners' heating and cooling costs would be lower.
* Conventional electric or induction stoves instead of methane gas means indoor air will be healthier. Taylor Gruenwald et al found that 13% of childhood asthma in the US is attributable to gas stove use. I do not want to subsidize the increased use of Natural Gas, especially in homes that contribute to increased health costs that will cost me and all Ontario citizens more to provide health care.
PHASE OUT NATURAL GAS!
This decision encourages prolonged dependency on natural gas. If we, Enbridge customers weren't subsidizing Enbridge's new business, the company might make the smart decision to diversify their energy offerings into other fields.
Many jurisdictions, e.g. New York State, are banning, and even fining, developers and building operators that persist in relying on fossil gas.
Enbridge should see the writing on the wall, and avoid further investment into what will likely become stranded assets.
And the Ontario government should be encouraging Enbridge to make the smart business decision to diversify. Instead, this Act, if passed, will force its customers (like me) to pay for Enbridge's unwise continuance of this ultimately doomed business direction.
Worst of all, increased reliance on fossil gas dooms us to increasing costs from the floods, forest fires, heat waves etc that will accompany global warming. Because methane (natural gas) is a major cause of global warming.
Amending the Ontario Energy Board Act is not in the best interests of Ontario citizens.
Rethink the misnamed "Keeping Energy Costs Down Act"!
Support the wise Ontario Energy Board decision.
Submitted April 7, 2024 8:31 AM
Comment on
Proposed Amendments to the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 to provide the government with the authority to ensure fair and informed decision-making at the OEB to foster affordable communities.
ERO number
019-8307
Comment ID
97920
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Comment status