Japan/Canada in clean energy dispute
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - Japan has initiated a trade dispute against Canada related to renewable energy equipment in the province of Ontario, the World Trade Organization confirmed.
The Japanese mission to the WTO said the dispute centres on guaranteed long-term pricing for solar and wind generators made with a certain percentage of locally produced components.
Ontario, CanadaÂ’s most populous province, launched an incentive program for renewable energy producers last October, aiming to create jobs and eliminate coal-fired power generators.
Tokyo believes that the pricing guarantees offered by Ontario in the wind and solar sectors constitute subsidies that violate CanadaÂ’s obligations under international trade law.
The request for consultations by Tokyo is the first step in a WTO dispute. If the two sides do not reach an agreement on their own, a WTO panel would be set up to arbitrate the dispute in a process that could eventually lead to retaliation.
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Maritime Electric team works on cleanup in Turks and Caicos
TORONTO - Maritime Electric has sent a crew to help in the clean up and power restoration of Turks and Caicos after the Caribbean island was hit by Hurricane Irma.
They arrived earlier this week and are working on removing debris and equipment so when supplies arrive, power can be brought back online.
Fortis Inc., the parent company for Maritime Electric operates a utility in Turks and Caicos.
Kim Griffin, spokesperson for Maritime Electric, said there are over 1000 poles that were brought down by the storm.
"It's really an intense storm recovery," she said. 'Good spirits'
The crew is working with less heavy equipment…
