A critical point in defining Ontario’s energy future

We have reached a critical point in defining Ontario’s energy future.

Faced with rising energy prices, aging infrastructure, and the consequences of climate change, we need 21st century solutions to ensure that our energy is safe, reliable and affordable. The Green Party of Ontario has a financially and environmentally sustainable energy plan.

Over the past two years, I’ve spoken with and listened to thousands of people from communities across Ontario. It is clear that a successful energy strategy for Ontario must include local ownership, local decision making and local benefits.

The current “bigger is better” approach to energy in Ontario does not respect local decision making or our communities. The Green Party has always offered an alternative, a way to support the growing renewable industry and Ontario communities at the same time.

This starts by prioritizing efficiency and conservation as the most affordable option with the lowest environmental and community impacts.

While some parties campaign on a promise to lower electricity bills through shell games that put the financial burden on our kid’s credit card, the Green Party is committed to the only solution that is guaranteed to reduce rising electricity bills – eliminating waste by reducing consumption. For every kilo-watt we can save today, we save money on this month’s bill and every future bill.

Saving energy means that the province needs to spend less money on costly new generation. This generates savings for everyone.

Earlier this year, the old parties at Queen’s Park allowed the successful home energy savings program to expire. Despite the fact that this program saved home owners money, saved the province money and generated thousands of community based jobs, the old parties let it expire without a fight.

Green MPPs will fight for a Green Building Program to help businesses, tenants and home owners save money by becoming more energy efficient. This program will create local jobs that can’t be exported, strengthening local economies and communities.

Ontario should not lock itself into expensive, inflexible new nuclear when other more affordable options are available and new technical innovations are emerging quickly. Solar, for example, is rapidly coming down in price.

The Green Party has a credible plan to phase out dirty coal now and expensive nuclear over time.

The GPO plan calls for a diverse mix of supply options. Our plan includes low cost hydroelectric imports from Quebec and developing more of Ontario’s hydro capacity using a community-based approach, especially in partnership with First Nations. Eliminating the wasteful use of natural gas by fully utilizing combined heat and power plants will also play an important role. Ontario needs to develop more biomass, biogas, wind and solar capacity.

The GPO will prioritize investments in the smart grid and storage as key ingredients in having the ability to effectively use renewable energy such as solar and wind. We need to ensure that Ontario has the proper grid infrastructure in place to make a diverse mix of renewables work.

Energy projects need to be developed in cooperation with local communities, not simply forced on them.

It’s time for an energy plan that benefits our communities and strengthens local economies. It’s time for a plan that will reduce our province’s carbon footprint, and make our economy more efficient, saving us money today, tomorrow and ten years from now. It’s time for Green MPPs at Queen’s Park to deliver sensible, long-term solutions.

Mike Schreiner
Leader
Green Party of Ontario
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