Green Energy Act 2009
The Ontario Green Energy Act, introduced in the Ontario legislature on February 23, 2009, is intended to expand renewable energy production, encourage energy conservation and create green jobs.[1]
It is claimed that the bill will help the government ensure the province’s future by:
- Supporting and expanding economic investment, thus building a stronger, greener economy with an estimated 50,000+ direct and indirect jobs over the next three years
- Expanding Ontario’s use of clean and renewable sources of energy such as wind, solar, biomass and biogas
- Better protecting the environment, combating climate change and creating a healthier future for generations to come.
Features
Among the key features[2] of the Act are the following:
- Different levels of tariff[3] are set for electricity from various renewable sources (solar photovoltaic, biogas, biomass, landfill gas, on-shore and off-shore wind and water power) that is "fed in" to the electrical grid; these are known as "Feed in Tariffs", and are based on similar tariffs implemented in Europe
- In order to qualify for the program, minimum levels of Ontario content are required in materials and labour[4]
- Local electrical distribution companies (LDCs) were obligated to accept small generators into their systems, and given a set of standard regulations for systems under 10kW (microFIT systems), and a variety of other sizes, depending on the technology involved
- Smaller systems, and in particular microFIT systems, were guaranteed a simpler application procedure and faster turn-around time.
- The contract for payment of tariffs is for 20 years (40 years in the case of hydro generators), and is with the Ontario Power Authority, providing small generators with protection against changes in government policies
Several non-profit organizations have been active in supporting the implementation of the Green Energy Act with customized wikis to assist consumers and service providers, including SWITCH and OurPower (see Further Reading).
See also
References
External links
Further reading