First Question
Background Information
The Government of Ontario is planning to increase the output and greenhouse gas pollution of Ontario’s gas-fired power plants by more than 300% by 2030 and by 700% by 2043 relative to 2017 levels.
If this occurs, we will lose 60% of the pollution reduction benefits that Ontario achieved by phasing out its dirty coal-fired power plants.
To support this massive increase in gas-fired power production, the Government of Ontario is proposing to increase the electricity generation capacity of Portlands gas-fired power plant on the Toronto waterfront.
According to the Independent Electricity System Operator’s Dunsky Report, we can cost-effectively avoid the need for new gas-fired generating capacity by a) investing in renewable energy; b) shifting electricity demand from peak to off-peak periods; and c) investing in energy storage.
According to a recent Royal Bank of Canada report we can avoid the need for new gas-fired generation capacity and save at least $500 million with readily available technologies like smart thermostats and AI-enhanced heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
Question #1: Do you support the Government of Ontario’s plans to expand the generation capacity of the Portlands gas-fired power plant on the Toronto waterfront?
Responses
Gary Crawford, Progressive Conservative: (No Response)
Andrea Hazell, Liberal: NO
Thadsha Navaneethan, NDP: NO
Gas plants are high-cost and spew greenhouse gas emissions – leading to higher electricity costs and a hotter planet.
Ontario is facing an energy crunch because of successive Conservative and Liberal governments’ mismanagement.
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has warned that Ontario might not have enough energy supply to meet peak electricity demands this summer, as climate change drives temperatures even higher.
The Ontario NDP has proposed practical solutions that would help fix our province’s electricity supply in the immediate term, including:
- Working with Quebec to increase our firm power commitments
- Take advantage of the large public sector building portfolio and offer subsidies to commercial buildings to reduce peak demand
- Work with municipalities to open cooling centre facilities for those without
- Investing in affordable, clean, renewable power.
Tara McMahon, Green: NO
Other provinces and countries are moving full-speed ahead toward investments in clean energy that strengthen their economies, lower their emissions and help people save money by saving energy.
Meanwhile, Ontario is stuck playing catch-up as the Ford government continues to sign new contracts for fossil gas plants that are incompatible with a net-zero future.
The Ford government’s continued investment in fossil gas not only impedes Ontario’s ability to meet our climate targets – it also increases your energy costs and puts future generations at risk.
If we want to remain competitive in a world that’s rapidly embracing renewable energy, we must prioritize creating and attracting jobs and investment in the industries that support them.
Second Question
Background Information
Thirty-four Ontario municipalities, representing almost 60% of Ontario’s population, have passed resolutions calling for the phase-out of gas power.
Energy efficiency and wind and solar energy are now Ontario’s lowest-cost options to meet our future electricity needs.
Since the wind doesn’t always blow and the sun doesn’t always shine, wind and solar energy must be combined with storge options that can transform wind and solar into firm 24/7 sources of electricity supply.
According to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology report, the lowest cost storage option for Ontario’s electricity system is Hydro-Quebec’s waterpower reservoirs.
Our electric vehicles’ (EVs) batteries are also a low-cost storage option for wind and solar energy. When combined with bi-directional chargers, our EVs can store surplus renewable energy when renewable generation is high and return the power back to the grid when renewable generation is below average. In 2030, the total capacity of our EVs’ batteries will be more than double the capacity of our gas plants.
Question #2: Do you believe that Ontario should meet its future electricity needs by a combination of wind, water and solar power, energy efficiency, demand management, and storage (e.g., EV batteries with bi-directional chargers and the use of Hydro Quebec’s reservoirs)?
Responses
Gary Crawford, Progressive Conservative: (No Response)
Andrea Hazell, Liberal: Yes
Thadsha Navaneethan, NDP: Yes
Ontario needs a comprehensive energy plan that will meet our growing needs and our commitment to reach net-zero. That includes a focus on renewable energy sources, conservation where possible, and making infrastructure such as homes and buildings more energy efficient. I will work to make sure Ontario’s expanded grid is both adequate to our needs and affordable for ratepayers.
One of the first things Ford’s Conservatives did when after taking office was cancel renewable energy projects and rip out EV charging stations. And their latest plan relies far too much on greenhouse-gas spewing fossil fuels which will also drive utility bills even higher.
The Liberals’ decision to privatize Hydro One drove up the cost of electricity for regular Ontarians and made it harder for our province to pivot to renewables.
Tara McMahon, Green: Yes
For years, we have seen report after report showing that renewables are cleaner, safer and cheaper than fossil fuels.
Last year, the world invested as much money into the clean energy transition as it spent producing oil, gas and coal.
Ontario has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a fully clean electricity grid that is affordable for communities across the province.
Ontario Greens have a plan to double Ontario’s electricity supply by 2040 by adding renewable power and storage, and investing in efficiency programs that help Ontarians save money by saving energy.