switch ltep comments
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7/29/2019 SWITCH LTEP Comments
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To Whom It May Concern:
SWITCH and its members appreciate the opportunity to provide input on Ontarios
Long-Term Energy Plan.
SWITCH has facilitated sustainable energy development in Southeastern Ontario forover ten years. SWITCH brings together urban and rural businesses, researchers and
innovators, educational institutions, the public sector, and a variety of community-
minded people working to create a sustainable energy future. Our members are
engaged in designing, building, operating and researching sustainable energy solutions
in Ontario.
The collective energy sector experience of SWITCH and our membership has assisted
us in recognizing the following factors as having created unprecedented change in
Ontarios electricity system over the past decade:
New technologies
Volatile pricing
Demand that has not met growth expectations
The emergence of renewables and conservation as cost effective options
Extreme costs of nuclear refurbishment and gas plant re-location
Emergence of Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) as a powerful force
Extreme weather caused by climate change
Challenges for peak supply
Potential for significant growth in the north
Due to these factors, it is clear that Ontario should be making investments that will
increase the ability of its power system to adapt to constantly changing conditions. The
options that will most effectively provide this flexibility are:
Conservation
Renewables
Gas combined heat and power (CHP)
Increased transmission capacity
SWITCH and its members believe that the following suggestions, if integrated into the
Long Term Energy Plan, will help to ensure that our provinces power needs are met
sustainably and cost-effectively :
Conservation
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7/29/2019 SWITCH LTEP Comments
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As proposed in the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, require an energy
assessment and rating for the sale of each property to allow buyers to make well-
informed decisions about the operating costs and energy performance of a
property before it is purchased, while creating a market-based incentive to invest
in conservation measures at all Ontario properties.
Make energy bills easier for customers to understand by including only delivery,
electricity, and fixed charges. Currently, it is difficult for customers to understand
what the true variable cost of energy is by reading a bill. Simplifying the bill and
providing comparisons to peers (customers of a similar class) can help to motivate
Ontarians to conserve. Roll all costs into the commodity charge so that the
incentives for conservation are amplified.
Increase the difference between on and off peak rates so there is more incentive
for residential customers to change their consumption habits
Commit to long-term, stable funding of conservation at local distribution companies
(LDCs) to ensure continuity of programs and personnel. Great gains can be made,but any gap in funding after the 2014 target period will lead to layoffs and
elimination of capacity to administer conservation programs.
Allow LDCs or their contractors to quickly adapt Province-wide programs to fit the
needs of their customers. The current process for incremental change and
adaptation of OPA conservation programs is bureaucratic and too slow to react to
market conditions.
Ensure the continuance of the Ontario Power Authority SaveOnEnergy programs
Support and replicate the innovations of regional utilities like PowerStream and
scaled utilities like Utilities Kingston/Kingston Hydro who have been leaders in
increasing conservation Explore multi-utility options for increasing integration of conservation programs
Support third party service providers to engage with information provided from new
smart meters
Encourage funding organizations to provide support to companies that havedeveloped innovative conservation technologies and solutions
Continue to make energy efficiency a priority in building code updates
Renewables
Lift the moratorium on offshore wind to allow for the expansion of this proven
technology
Increase policy stability by setting policies and only changing them according to a
pre-determined schedule (long term, high capital cost investments like power
systems require stable policy and procurement environment)
Create a process for municipal concerns about renewable energy projects to be
worked out with developers outside of the environmental assessment process
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7/29/2019 SWITCH LTEP Comments
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Allow for local engagement early in the project planning process to avoid allocation
of resources to communities that do not support development
Address generators concerns regarding Hydro Ones high connection costs, long
lead times, lack of customer service help, and perceived obstructionist attitude
Require buildings to be solar ready with low-cost conduit and supports as a
building code requirement in urban areas. Work with Municipalities to create
incentives for builders to site and orient buildings so as to maximize thermal or PV
solar applications.
Provide incentives for solar hot water systems, both as retrofits and in new build.
Create a map of the province identifying areas with potential for large-scale
renewable energy development such as wind and solar farms. This will provide
local municipalities and residents advance notice that development is a future
possibility, reducing the surprise and negative reaction that comes with it.
Gas Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
Provide a fixed price for power from CHPs to allow development of district energy
systems
Increased Transmission Capacity
Consider stronger transmission interties with neighbouring jurisdictions to access
clean hydro power and reduce need for expensive nuclear refurbishment
Move toward a true linking of grids in northern Ontario and southern Ontario to
enable the north to supply the south with power at a fair price Connect Ontario to the Manitoba grid with a major transmission line allowing
import of clean energy from Manitoba
Thank you again for the opportunity to provide input on the Ministry of Energys Long-
Term Energy Plan and help move Ontario closer to a sustainable energy future.
Regards,
Tyson Champagne
Executive Director, SWITCH
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