Toronto is Not Very Green

TORONTO -- - When it comes to electricity, Toronto is not yet very green.

Even so, it's probably a lot greener than you would think.

The new wind turbine installed at Exhibition Place is a symbol of major change after decades when we've unthinkingly and extravagantly consumed artificially cheap power from massive hydro, nuclear, and coal-fired generating stations.

Across the GTA are dozens of examples of new, cleaner sources of energy, or — even better — technologies that save it.

They employ the sun, wind, heat from the Earth, cold water from deep in Lake Ontario, gases generated by rotting garbage, or empty rooftops. They're in city halls, schools, factories, hotels, condo and office buildings and a few family homes.

And they have some things in common:

- They're already commonplace in much of the world, especially Europe.

- It costs a significant amount to install them.

- Those costs can be recouped, through economic and environmental benefits, in a relatively short time.

- Because we still tend to think short-term, green sources aren't likely to take off here without government incentives or regulations.

They've been brought screeching to a halt by the province's abrupt decision to freeze electricity rates, and they won't get moving again until order is restored to Ontario's chaotic energy policy.

The capped price of 4.3 cents a kilowatt hour is so low that consumers have no incentive to save energy, says Rob McLeese, whose company helps to develop and finance green projects. "It was very short-sighted of Premier (Ernie) Eves."

Green power could sprout in the new year, with the promise of new provincial policies and federal incentives aimed at complying with the Kyoto Protocol.

For now, here's where things stand, in a period the optimists call a "pause".