Ontario Tackles Energy Demand by Introducing Affordable Energy Act
October 23, 2024
Toronto – Today, the Ontario government is introducing legislation that would, if passed, enable the implementation of the province’s first-ever integrated energy plan which will ensure the entire energy sector is aligned behind the government’s pro-growth agenda.
The Affordable Energy Act would also prioritize zero-emissions nuclear energy as the province’s grid expands, support the government’s significant expansion of energy efficiency programs to help families save money, help get more Electric Vehicle chargers built and reduce last-mile connection costs for electricity infrastructure.
“Over the past six years our government has restored our province’s clean and affordable energy advantage,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
“This is enabling unprecedented investments from electric vehicle and battery manufacturing to critical minerals and green steel.”
“Energy demand is increasing quickly, and our government will deliver the province’s first integrated energy plan to ensure we build for the future, with a focus on keeping energy rates affordable,” said Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification.
“The Affordable Energy Act lays the groundwork for large-scale energy expansion, more affordable homes, expanded energy efficiency programs and more – all focused on saving families their hard earned money. That is why we have and will continue to vigorously oppose the punitive Carbon Tax.”
Ontario’s Affordable Energy Future: The Pressing Case for More Power plan outlines the challenges facing the province as demand for energy continues to rapidly grow, as well as the government’s all-of-the-above approach to meet this demand.
The implementation of that vision starts with legislative changes through the Affordable Energy Act that would:
- Establish the province’s first integrated energy plan – introduce a new framework for integrated energy planning that would coordinate all energy resources, including electricity, natural gas and other fuels to ensure energy remains affordable.
- Prioritize nuclear power in generation build out – for the first time in legislation, the province will prioritize the role of reliable, affordable and zero-emissions nuclear power generation to meet future increases in demand.
- Expand energy efficiency programs to save families money – ahead of the government introducing a significant expansion of energy efficiency programs to save families and businesses money, the government is expanding the mandate of Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator so they can deliver programs to help even more customers reduce costs and emissions.
- Get more Electric Vehicle chargers built – supporting the adoption of Electric Vehicles by providing Electric Vehicle charging companies with a regulatory environment that supports and enables further deployment of Electric Vehicle charging stations.
- Reduce costs for last mile connections – provide government with new regulation-making authority that would work to ensure more timely and cost-effective electricity system connection for new homes and industry.
According to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator, the province’s demand for electricity is forecast to increase by seventy-five percent by 2050 – the equivalent of adding four and a half cities the size of Toronto to the grid. There is also continued demand for other fuels including gasoline and natural gas, that currently play a critical role in powering vehicles, heating homes and attracting new jobs in manufacturing, including the automotive industry and agriculture.