We need an unbiased assessment of ending gas-fired generation
By Angela Bischoff, Director of the Ontario Clean Air Alliance
We need your voice to support our call for a thorough and fact-based examination of how Ontario can phase out gas-fired electricity generation.
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) – in response to a wave of resolutions from municipalities (29 and counting!) that are calling for an end to gas power generation to protect our climate – has announced an assessment of the feasibility of phasing out gas. That’s the good news. The bad news is that right now the IESO seems more interested in justifying the need to continue burning gas rather than examining alternatives, if the letters it has sent to municipalities and posted on its website are any indication.
That’s why your voice is needed: to tell the IESO to focus on how to return gas-fired electricity generation to its 2017 level ASAP and completely phase it out by 2030. In particular, we need a serious and unbiased examination of how we can use a combination of increased energy efficiency, renewable sources like solar and wind, electric vehicle-to-grid integration, and waterpower from Quebec to eliminate the need to burn gas.
There is a lot at stake: Ontario could lose approximately 40% of the greenhouse gas emission reductions it achieved by ending coal burning if it sticks with its current plan to massively increase the use of gas instead of phasing it out. And the province will not be able to meet even its weak climate targets, let alone get to where we need to be to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, without phasing out gas use.
What you can do
There are two ways you can help:
1. Please send the IESO a letter calling for a thorough, unbiased examination of how we can end gas use in our electricity system. We’ve put together a sample letter here that you can use.
2. You can also take part in the IESO’s public engagement webinar on Thur. June 24th at 9 a.m. To register, email engagement@ieso.ca
For more info, watch this 7 min. interview with Prof. Mark Winfield of York University about why public participation in this IESO process is so critical.
Please note that all of the orange highlighted passages are hyperlinked – that is, if you click on them, you’ll be directed to another page for more detailed information.
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