North America’s best green energy program re-launches

Jul
13
2012
We’re serious about working to prevent and reduce pollution.  And when it comes to pollution that causes global warming, the less fossil fuel we use the better.  Fortunately, renewable energy technology exists today that lets us ...
photo credit: PhotoSensitive - SolarShare
We’re serious about working to prevent and reduce pollution.  And when it comes to pollution that causes global warming, the less fossil fuel we use the better.  Fortunately, renewable energy technology exists today that lets us use less polluting fuel and more clean fuel—and put people to work in the process.
 
Ontario’s move to green energy has created lots of public debate. It’s debate we’re happy to participate in because educating people about alternatives and their environmental benefits builds support for a clean energy economy. 
 
This week, Ontario re-launched its landmark renewable energy program: the ‘FIT’.  It’s a renewed commitment to green power that ensures it will keep its title as the best place on the continent to build renewable energy projects like wind and solar - crucial to fighting global warming while grabbing a stake in the global green economy.
 
Ontario renewable energy plans are gaining steam, with new companies like Trina Solar, and Enercon continuing to move operations here, creating new full-time jobs. Ontario is at the top of the list for solar and wind development North America.  
 
As the International Energy Association (IEA), recently declared “renewable energy has arrived” outpacing investment in last century’s energy sources like coal. Ontario is smart be part of this historic transition.
 
After being invited to participate in public consultations on the FIT, Environmental Defence is glad to see that many of our recommendations to improve the program are being adopted.
 
In coming weeks, new rules for renewable projects will be rolled out that favour projects owned in part by local communities, strengthen protections for prime agricultural land, help get municipalities more directly involved, and set a clear path to lower costs as renewable energy technology continues to get cheaper.  We are excited to see creative ideas like a new pilot program to help new housing developments include solar panels as part of their design. 
 
Whether you are a homeowner, a community group, an Aboriginal community, or an energy company the new rules will open up a big opportunity to protect the environment, create jobs and earn income.
 
If you’d like to know more, please ask.  We’re always happy to educate more people about the promise of renewable energy.

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Jul
13
2012

Great stuff Adam, thanks to


Shane Mulligan says:

Great stuff Adam, thanks to you and many others for all your hard work! The new rules are very favourable toward community power projects, and projects that are 50% owned by aboriginal groups and co-operatives will be prioritized above all others - so community power will definitely have an important place in the future of renewables in Ontario.

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Jul
21
2012

Environmental Defence likes to skirt the hard questions


Lori Griffin says:

I've asked many times on this site, why ED doesn't do more to help protect valuable farmland in Ontario, as well as it's fragile ecosystems (Ostranders Point) and our world recognized biosphere (Bruce Peninsula) from the onslaught of industrial wind turbines, but no one with this group seems to really be concerned about "those" environmental issues". Why isn't ED advocating for more wind turbines to be placed along the GTA shoreline from Hamilton to Oshawa where power consumption is the greatest?

Your group smacks of the worst type of green hypocrisy. I'm started to get the impression that as with other
'green' organizations, the only green that ED cares about is money, not the environment.

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