ACTION ALERT: Support a green, secure and accessible electricity future for Ontario

Wednesday May 20 marks the launch of a grassroots campaign with people across the province to convey priorities to the Ontario government for ensuring a green, secure and accessible electricity future. 

Add your voice by sending a message to Premier Dalton McGuinty, Energy Minister George Smitherman and provincial energy critics. A sample letter is provided below.

Background:
Right now, the McGuinty government is making important decisions affecting the future of Ontario’s electricity. The Green Energy Act sets new direction for provincial energy policies. While the Act shows promise in recognizing the opportunities of building a “green energy economy” that meets ecological objectives and provides jobs, there remain outstanding concerns and options available for ensuring a green, secure and accessible electricity that must be heard. There are trade implications that are being overlooked, other provincial power-sharing opportunities, and ways to conserve and secure affordable, environmentally-friendly power supplies that meet Ontarians needs without pursuing new nuclear developments.

Trade matters
Ontario isn’t developing policy in a vacuum. International trade and investment agreements like NAFTA have a big – although frequently overlooked – impact on the production, distribution and export of electricity. Trade rules can undermine policy and regulatory options for ensuring green, secure and accessible electricity for the benefit of Ontarians. 

Power sharing, public and community renewable projects   
Although not often considered, electricity trade with neighbouring provinces such as Quebec provides an efficient and economical way to help meet renewable use goals and supply security. Further emphasis and support for public and community renewable power generation will ensure Ontarians benefit.

Conserve energy and support local technologies
The cleanest energy is the energy we don’t have to use – expanding energy conservation and efficiency measures that are affordable should be a priority. Supporting made-in-Ontario clean energy technologies will help build a provincial green energy economy.  

No new nuclear
The Ontario government remains committed to nuclear energy and may sign a contract for two new nuclear reactors. No new nuclear developments is an essential part of building a green energy economy in Ontario that meets energy security needs and is truly sustainable.  Nuclear power is not clean, safe, peaceful or economically sustainable.

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SEND YOUR LETTER NOW:

Subject
Recipients	dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org; gsmitherman.mpp@liberal.ola.org; tabunsp-qp@ndp.on.ca; john.yakabuski@pc.ola.org
Compose your letter in the box below.
Dear Premier McGuinty, I am concerned that the impacts of trade agreements such as NAFTA and U.S. electricity sector regulations on the production, distribution and export of electricity have not been properly recognized and considered in planning for Ontario’s electricity future. Ontario is not developing energy policy in a vacuum. Trade rules and regulations can undermine policy mechanisms meant to ensure green, secure and accessible electricity for the benefit of Ontarians.  Increased privatization in electricity generation, transmission and distribution, and increased regional market harmonization with the U. S. give these rules new salience. This includes NAFTA’s infamous chapter 11, which allows companies from member countries to sue the Canadian government in trade tribunals over a regulation or government decision that is felt to affect their investment in conflict with NAFTA rights. Policies such as requiring a generator to serve Ontario needs before export markets, refraining from exporting electricity in specific circumstances, and adjusting or ceasing production to meet certain environmental goals, are potentially at risk.  Already, private companies – some of which are owned in whole or in part, by foreign investors – are involved in exporting power to U.S. markets. Moreover, under NAFTA rules Ontarians must compete with U.S. markets for such private power, raising concerns about supply reliability and security as well as price volatility. With a growing demand for “clean power” in the U.S., electricity exports from renewable resources, or its attributes, will be particularly attractive. Although procurement contracts provide some protection from trade rules over the duration of the contract (investor-state litigation still being a risk), at the end of the contract, power plants remain the property of investors exposing Ontario customers to future price and export risks. I urge you to recognize these cautions and take action. There are viable options that minimize these risks and help build a green energy economy with secure supplies of electricity for Ontarians. This includes further emphasis and support for public and community renewable power generation and affordable conservation and energy efficiency measures. Supporting made-in-Ontario clean technology innovations through procurement contracts deploying energy saving technologies in the public sector is another action area that meets ecological objectives and supports local jobs. Although frequently overlooked, electricity trade with neighbouring provinces such as Quebec provides an efficient and economical way to help meet renewable use goals and supply security. Further, building a green energy economy does not require new nuclear developments. Nuclear power poses unacceptable risks to people and the environment, and a high financial price for taxpayers. All Ontarians will benefit from green, secure and accessible electricity. I urge you to take action and ensure that these concerns and demands are recognized in public policy and regulations when planning for the future of Ontario’s electricity. Sincerely,
Name
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