David Suzuki lauds Ontario government for its “visionary” alternative energy policy

March 21, 2006 - CAMBRIDGE, Ontario – The Ontario government’s announcement today that it will allow renewable electricity producers to plug into the grid is an exciting and bold step forward, said the David Suzuki Foundation.

“This is a visionary decision that puts Ontario on a new path toward a more sustainable electricity system,” said David Suzuki, scientist and broadcaster. “This is exactly the kind of political leadership we need if we are serious about cleaning up Ontario’s poor air quality and summer smog.”

Ontario’s new program of “standard offer contracts” means municipalities, homeowners, private businesses and farmers can set up a wind turbine or put solar panels on their roofs and be paid a fixed premium to feed that electricity into the grid.

While countries such as Germany, Spain and Denmark – all world leaders in renewable power – have had similar policy mechanisms in place for years, Ontario is now the first jurisdiction in North America to adopt similar measures.

“It’s exciting because it will make it that much easier for Ontario to adopt renewable energy on a large scale,” said Dr. Suzuki. “Ontario could quickly become a North American leader on clean, renewable energy.”

Standard offer contracts eliminate two of the most important obstacles inhibiting renewable energy development: the ability to connect to the grid and market uncertainty. It will also help attract new renewable energy manufacturing facilities to the province, creating jobs and boosting the local economy.

Today’s policy announcement comes as Ontario is about to choose how it will produce and use electricity in the coming decades. The Ontario Power Authority is recommending the province build new nuclear plants.

However, the David Suzuki Foundation is urging the province to make renewable energy, efficiency and conservation the cornerstones of Ontario’s energy policy. Progressive policies like the one announced today will mean Ontario will not need to consider expensive and unreliable nuclear options, added Dr. Suzuki.

The last nuclear plant constructed in Ontario – Darlington – was billions of dollars over budget when it was completed in the mid-1980s. Nuclear power also creates radioactive waste, with no accepted method of managing that waste.

For more information or to arrange interviews, contact:
Sarah Marchildon
Communications specialist
David Suzuki Foundation
604-732-4228, ext. 237

Jose Etcheverry
Policy analyst
David Suzuki Foundation, Toronto
Cell: 416-885-0129
Office: 416-977-7290