Ontario Supports Local Investments in Green Energy

McGuinty government initiatives creates locally led green energy opportunities

Ontario will be providing assistance to community groups looking to build new green generation and to municipalities that might face extra infrastructure costs as green energy facilities are built. These two programs represent steps five and six in Ontario’s ten steps to green energy which will open investment and opportunities in Ontario’s green economy.

Through the Community Energy Partnerships Program, community groups, including co-ops, non-profit groups and local partnerships would be eligible for one time financial assistance of up to $200,000 for project planning costs, as well as environmental and engineering studies. Community based projects are eligible to receive a graduated incentive, based on the percentage of local ownership, of up to 1 cent/kilowatt hour in addition to standard feed-in-tariff rates.

The Community Energy Partnerships Program and the recently announced Aboriginal Energy Partnership Program and Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program are intended to ensure that people across Ontario, from all walks of life, have an opportunity to participate in growing Ontario’s green economy, a key objective of the Green Energy Act.

The Municipal Renewable Energy Program will provide support to municipalities for costs associated with renewable energy projects, such as repairs to road and drainage infrastructure and traffic management. This funding is intended to cover costs over and above those that the project developers should bear.

QUOTES

“Communities across Ontario are seeking to be active participants in bringing new renewable energy projects to life under the Green Energy Act. Their leadership brings enhanced focus in establishing Ontario as North America’s renewable energy leader.”

- George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure

QUICK FACTS

§Ontario has already brought more than 1,000 megawatts of new renewable energy on-line since October 2003.

§For the first six months of 2009, coal production was down 51 per cent and wind generation was 80 per cent higher compared to the same period in 2008.

§Investments in new renewable energy projects already in place or under construction in Ontario total about $4 billion.

LEARN MORE

Read more about Ontario’s Green Energy Act (www.ontario.ca/greenenergy)

Green Energy Act Will Attract Investment, Create Jobs

Green Energy Rules Make Ontario A North American Leader

New regulations introduced today will create thousands of jobs in the new green economy under Ontario’s Green Energy Act.

Ontario’s new regulations provide a stable investment environment where companies know what the rules are — giving them the confidence to invest in Ontario, hire workers, and produce and sell renewable energy.

The major components of Ontario’s Green Energy Act include:

§A Feed-In-Tariff program, which allows individuals and companies to sell renewable energy — like solar, wind, water, biomass, biogas and landfill gas — into the grid at set rates.

§Domestic content requirements, which would ensure at least 25 per cent of wind projects and 50 per cent of solar projects be produced in Ontario — requirements for solar will increase by January 1, 2011 and wind will increase by January 1, 2012.

§A streamlined approvals process and a service guarantee to bring developers greater certainty.

§Regulations for setting wind turbines certain distances from houses, roadways and property lines.

§A new Ontario Renewable Energy Facilitation Office — a one-stop shop to help renewable energy projects get off the ground faster.

More than 50,000 direct and indirect jobs will be created under the Act. Investments in new renewable energy projects already in place or under construction in Ontario since 2003 exceed $4 billion.

QUOTES

“Ontario has taken the lead in Canada and set the ground rules for doing green business. Now investors, renewable energy companies and skilled workers can really move our green economy forward.”

— Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario

“Ontario wants green energy business. These regulations will help ensure industry and municipalities that jobs will be created, investment is committed and that the renewable energy industry grows across the province.”

— George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure

“These changes not only give us an economic advantage, they will protect our environment, combat climate change and create a healthier future for Ontarians.”

— John Gerretsen, Minister of the Environment

QUICK FACTS

§Ontario is Canada’s leading province in wind power, producing enough electricity to power more than 300,000 homes — or a city the size of Markham.

§The Green Energy Act will aid Ontario’s commitment to eliminate coal-fired power by 2014 — the single largest climate change initiative in Canada.

§Ontario has gone from 10 turbines in 2003, to more than 670 spinning today and will have 975 by 2012.

LEARN MORE

Read more about the major components of Ontario’s Green Energy Act

Find out how Ontario is helping Aboriginal communities get involved in green energy.

See Ontario's Ten Steps to Green Energy