Good changes for Ontario’s green energy plan

WWF

Ontario has been the first province to create a solid plan to get off of a major fossil fuel – in this case, coal – and replace it with renewable energy. As it’s the first plan of its kind in North America, regular review and revision is a core part to making sure it works.
Today the Government of Ontario released its proposed changes to the province’s renewable energy plan – also known as the Feed In Tariff or FIT program. These recommendations are in response to a regular review of the program.

© National Geographic Stock/ Sarah Leen / WWF

WWF joined together with a number of different organizations in Ontario and submitted our own recommendations into this process. You can read the full submission here.
Our top recommendations were:

  • –Involve local communities in renewable energy projects
  • –Set aside a specific allotment of renewable energy to be community-owned
  • –Adopt stronger targets for renewable energy to effectively address climate change

 
The Government of Ontario listened. Here are some of their key changes to the program moving forward, announced today:

  • –Give greater opportunity for Aboriginal and community ownership of, and gains from, local wind and solar projects
  • –Deepen engagement with  municipalities by mandating that any new project must first meet with all key stakeholders at the very launch of the project
  • –Work with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) to revise how municipalities are consulted
  • –Strengthen renewable energy targets, move up the target date of 10,700 MW of renewable energy from 2018 to 2015

 
Ontario’s renewable energy plan is the first of its kind in North America, modeled after successes globally. It has allowed for Ontario to transition off of coal power, and – because of that – has been the most significant single emissions reduction program in North America. It is a model for other provinces on how to effectively make the energy transition we need to see to address climate change. Major advances in energy conservation and renewable energy are needed in Canada if we are to meet our goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050.