Ontario clean energy benefit now in effect

- The Ontario Clean Energy Benefit came into effect at the beginning of this year. The purpose of this tax credit is to help families by providing 10 per cent off their electricity bills for the next five years, while important investments are made in the electricity system. Ontario families, farms and small businesses will automatically receive the benefit on their electricity bill.

The Ontario Clean Energy Benefit is in addition to the new enhanced Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, which is putting up to $900 back into the pockets of low- to middle-income families and single people, and up to $1,025 for seniors.

According to a recent Ontario Ministry of Energy press release: "As part of the province's Open Ontario Plan, the Long-Term Energy Plan is moving the province to clean sources of power and shutting down coal power that pollutes the air Ontario families breathe. Upgrading and modernizing Ontario's energy infrastructure is helping to provide reliable power to homes and businesses and is creating thousands of jobs for Ontarians in the growing clean energy sector."

QUICK FACTS FROM THE ONTARIO MINISTRY OF ENERGY

* An average household can expect to save approximately $150 through the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit.

* New renewable energy supply that is online or under construction totals more than 2,700 megawatts, which represents enough to power over 900,000 homes each year.

* To date, more than 20 businesses have announced they are setting up or expanding plants to manufacture parts for the solar and wind industry, creating new jobs in Ontario.

* In 2003, Ontario had 19 dirty, polluting coal units and just 10 wind turbines recently, the province has over 700 wind turbines and by 2014 all coal units will be closed or converted to biomass or natural gas.