Thank you for an opportunity…

Thank you for an opportunity to offer comments on this important topic. We have the following 3 points:

1) Need to lower electricity prices: 100% Agree!
To achieve lower prices the Global Adjustment (GA) costs need to be closely examined. GA has grown to over $1 Billion per month with the majority of costs from generation, despite fingers pointing at CDM. The true cost components need to be fully understood and cuts occur where they do the most good. We do not want to throw the ”baby out with the bathwater!”.

Suggestion: Examine each GA cost contribution + those that are approving these costs.

2) Preserving the important elements that CDM offers
Energy Efficiency provides a stronger and healthier Ontario with more jobs and less waste. While there are program elements in the current CDM program that should be changed, there is also considerable expertise that was ‘re-learned’ and now resides in the rate base. This experience and knowledge needs to be retained. Energy efficiency is a valuable investment in Ontario’s future – when it is done smartly.

Suggestion: CDM should be retained within the rate base and not transfer to the tax base. Electricity investments should be paid by the electricity sector.

3) Expand Innovation and customer engagement
We applaud this governments commitment to the importance of customers. The production and supply of electricity remains largely unchanged when compared with telecommunications. We need to inspire and expand similar opportunities that will allow customers to engage in beneficial solutions and not just paying their bill each month.

Suggestion: Engage the private sector in “smart grid” investment where customers can contribute to better solutions that boost their competitive position. Example, allow Ontario ratepayers first option to purchase negative price power.

Energy@Work has a wealth of experience in helping customers cut utility waste and increase their competitive position. There is still a lot more that needs to be done. Transparency and energy efficiency investment are catalysts that can accelerate efficiency and help Ontario regain its leadership position in the energy sector that it once had.

Please feel free to call on us for case studies or to elaborate on the above.