Dalton McGuinty defends green energy pledge

TORONTO - - A day after the province's auditor general criticized Ontario's long-term green energy plan, the premier was on the defensive in Windsor.

Dalton McGuinty didn't waver from his commitment to renewable energy, which includes more wind farms, the Green Energy Act and a $7-billion deal with Samsung.

The auditor general said the Liberals' plan would eventually cost Ontarians more than an additional $220 million in electricity costs.

"I am very grateful for the auditorÂ’s report. We welcome that," McGuinty said.

The province will continue to move forward with renewable energy in light of the criticism.

"I think weÂ’ve made a clear choice here. We said weÂ’re going to stop burning coal," he said. "WeÂ’re going to develop a modern reliable electricity system."

McGuinty said only five per cent of an electricity bill is linked to renewable energy. He said infrastructure costs make up the majority of hydro bills right now.

Green revolution

The premier likened the green industry to the auto industry.

"We could have made the decision at the time, weÂ’re not going to go ahead with cars and weÂ’ll stick to horses and buggies but that doesnÂ’t represent progress," McGuinty said. "We want to develop the capacity to do for renewable technologies what we have done for cars."

McGuinty said he wants Ontario to export energy to the U.S.

A clean energy manufacturer has officially opened its doors in Windsor, creating good jobs for families and strengthening the local economy.

McGuinty spoke at CS Wind, a Windsor-based company that makes wind towers, and officially opened its doors on Tuesday. The company is expected to create 300 skilled jobs for families in the Windsor-Essex area.

Related News

Investigation reveals power company 'gamed' $100M from Ontario's electricity system

TORONTO - Hydro customers shelled out about $100 million in "inappropriate" payments to a natural gas plant that exploited flaws in how Ontario manages its private electricity generators, according to the Ontario Energy Board.

The company operating the Goreway Power Station in Brampton "gamed" the system for at least three years, according to an investigation by the provincial energy regulator. 

The investigation also delivers stinging criticism of the provincial government's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), slamming it for a lack of oversight. The probe by the Ontario Energy Board's market surveillance panel was completed nearly a year ago, but was only made public in November because…

READ MORE
fords-washington-meeting-energy-tariffs-and-trade-tensions-with-us

Ford's Washington Meeting: Energy Tariffs and Trade Tensions with U.S

READ MORE

alliant power

Alliant aims for carbon-neutral electricity, says plans will save billions for ratepayers

READ MORE

tariffs-on-chinese-electric-vehicles

Tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles

READ MORE

powerlines

EDF and France reach deal on electricity prices-source

READ MORE