Ontario government introduces new energy act and plan

DAN CEARNS The Standard

DURHAM/KAWARTHA LAKES: The Ontario government is introducing an act to try to improve the energy supply across the province.

At a press conference, on Wednesday, October 23rd, Stephen Lecce, the Minister of Energy and Electrification, announced the province has introduced the “Affordable Energy Act.”

An Ontario government press release explained, this act, if passed, would “enable the implementation of the province’s first-ever integrated energy plan” and “prioritize zero-emissions nuclear energy, as the province’s grid expands; support the government’s significant expansion of energy efficiency programs, to help families save money; help get more electric vehicle (EV) chargers built; and reduce “last-mile” connection costs for electricity infrastructure.”

At the press conference, Minister Lecce spoke about the urgency of this situation.

“Last week, the Ontario Independent Electricity Systems operator told us, point blank, the need for more power is increasing every single day. To support our growing economy and to keep the lights on, we’re going to need at least 75 percent more electricity by 2050. That’s the equivalent of adding four and a half cities of Toronto to the grid, over the next 25 years.”

Minister Lecce stressed, this act “sets the stage for [the province’s] economic success.”

“It will pave the way for significant expansion of energy efficiency programs, to help even more families and businesses,” he added.

Minister Lecce additionally noted, this act will “keep energy costs down, through a competitive, all of the above approach [which] delivers more reliable power to our families and for our future.”