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The Green Party has always supported renewables as energy solutions that are good for our environment and our economy. 
Yet the McGuinty government’s implementation of renewable energy is full of missteps that hurt communities, small businesses and their workers the most.
How has the McGuinty government cost us jobs?? Just ask GPO candidate and solar entrepreneur Ken Burns, who talks about how small solar businesses are forced to lay off staff and face potential bankruptcy because of the Liberal’s flawed Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) review process.
We need to make sure that bungling of renewable energy by McGuinty will notkeep costing us jobs and setting back the green energy movement. To do this, we need your help to deliver this message to Queen’s Park.
Take action today by sending a message to Energy Minister Chris Bentley in support of Ontario’s solar entrepreneurs.
The current review process leaves local entrepreneurs facing at least four months of uncertainty, cash-flow issues, and lay-offs. New contracts are frozen while the review is taking place, including projects submitted two months before the review was even announced!
The GPO supports a review of the FIT program, as prices must come down as technology improves. But there are simple solutions to fix this problem so that green businesses can survive while protecting ratepayers from price increases.
Your support will make a difference! Count yourself alongside Mike Schreiner in promoting an Ontario with Green Energy, Green Jobs, and a Green Future.
Background information
Ontario’s feed-in tariff or FIT Program is North America’s first comprehensive guaranteed pricing structure for renewable electricity production. It offers stable prices under long-term contracts for energy generated from renewable sources, including biomass, biogas, landfill gas, on-shore wind, solar photovoltaic (PV), and waterpower.
A review was announced on October 31st. While the review was scheduled, no notice was provided that all submissions for contracts as of August 31st would be frozen during the review process.
The GPO is offering two solutions that will allow business to continue while the review takes place. First, don’t suspend contracts already in process. Second, pre-approve new submissions for microFIT and community power projects during the review process at the new lower prices so that business does not come to a complete stop.
During the review process, Ontarians were invited to participate in the review of the FIT Program. The GPO’s feedback included:
- GPO leader Mike Schreiner’s letter to Hon. Chris Bentley.
- GPO leader Mike Schreiner’s submission can be found here to the FIT review.
Links:
Mike Shcreiner on the problems with the FIT review: http://www.ontarionewswatch.com/onw-news.html?id=256
FIT Program: http://fit.powerauthority.on.ca/what-feed-tariff-program
FIT review: http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/en/fit-and-microfit-program/2-year-fit-review/
FIT review survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BSRJDVM
Problems with the review process: http://www.gpo.ca/blog/2011-12-12/ontario-liberals-experts-giving-one-hand-and-taking-away-other
Mike Schreiner’s Open Letter to Chris Bentley: http://www.gpo.ca/blog/2011-12-09/open-letter-chris-bentley-hon-minister-energy-fit-review
Mike Schreiner’s submission to the FIT review process: http://www.gpo.ca/statement/feed-tariff-review-green-party-submission