September 9, 2003 -
TORONTO – Energy conservation and efficiency measures are the fastest, cheapest ways to solve Ontario’s electricity crisis and prevent future blackouts, says a new report from the David Suzuki Foundation.
The report includes a plan on how Ontario can cut its total demand for electric power by 20 per cent by 2010, close the province’s coal plants, improve the reliability of the electricity system and save taxpayers money. Released in Toronto today, the report comes at a time when the electricity issue is dominating the Ontario election campaign.
"Our report looks at the way California slashed demand for electricity and applies lessons learned to Ontario," said Alex Boston, climate specialist with the David Suzuki Foundation. "It’s an approach the next government of Ontario can adopt to prevent future blackouts, and at the same time reduce the pollution that causes smog and global warming."
California put conservation and efficiency measures in place when it faced rolling blackouts and rising prices following deregulation of the electricity market in 2000.
"California’s experience provides a clear example on how to recover from an electricity crisis," said Ralph Cavanagh, one of America’s foremost energy experts and Director of California’s Natural Resources Defense Council’s energy program. "In 2001 and 2002, Californians avoided nearly eight million tonnes of carbon dioxide pollution, cut their electricity needs by the equivalent of 10 giant power plants, and avoided rolling blackouts thanks to the most successful statewide conservation campaign ever conducted."
In California, millions of customers participated in a wide range of conservation programs covering all sectors of the economy, including special rebates for households and businesses that cut their monthly electricity use by 20 per cent. State buildings reduced their energy consumption, older buildings were weatherized and new buildings were constructed to higher standards.
"It worked so well that Californians cut their electricity use by more than anyone had thought possible – about eight per cent during the critical summer of 2001, with even larger reductions during peak periods," said Mr. Cavanagh. "The conventional wisdom had been that at best the state could reduce only the rate of growth in its electricity use."
"In contrast, Ontario is trying to confront a serious electricity crisis by increasing supply, combined with a freeze on consumer electricity rates," said Keith Stewart, one of the report’s authors, and a climate expert with the Toronto Environmental Alliance. "The result has been more smog and greenhouse gases from coal-fired plants, a less reliable electrical system and $600 million of taxpayers money wasted on subsidies to private power companies.
"To truly solve our electricity crisis, the next government of Ontario should learn from what California did to end their blackouts and price spikes by making smart investments in saving energy and planning for the long-term health of citizens and their electricity system," said Mr. Stewart.
Conservation and efficiency measures not only ease electricity crunches during hot or cold weather, but also cut smog and air pollution because they reduce the amount of oil, coal and gas that is burned to produce electricity.
"Better buildings, more efficient appliances and increased use of renewable energy mean fewer greenhouse gas emissions and cleaner air," said Marion Fraser, a leading expert on energy efficiency and conservation in Ontario. "Such investments also reduce customers’ energy bills, stimulate the creation of new jobs and improve the reliability of the electricity system. Ontario must begin the transition to a sustainable energy economy by focusing on the demand side of the energy market."
Some of the report’s recommendations for Ontario include:
- Incentive programs to cut electricity use among residential and small commercial customers
- A province-wide public education campaign to promote conservation and efficiency strategies
- An energy-efficiency fund to reduce demand for electricity by investing in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors
- Phasing out coal-fired power plants
As part of their campaign promises, the Ontario Liberals and New Democrats have pledged to shut down Ontario’s coal-burning power plants by 2007 and replace them with cleaner sources of energy. The Tories have said they’ll do so by 2015. The Suzuki Foundation’s report shows how conservation and efficiency would reduce demand for electricity enough to shut down all five of Ontario’s coal-fired power plants.
For more information, contact:
Sarah Marchildon
Communications specialist
David Suzuki Foundation
604-732-4228, ext. 237
Alex Boston
Climate specialist
David Suzuki Foundation
Cell: 604-897-6648
