Ontario’s Energy Minister to give the IESO its marching orders for phasing out gas power
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By Angela Bischoff, Director of the Ontario Clean Air Alliance
Ontario Energy Minister Todd Smith will give the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) its marching orders for phasing out gas-fired power during a public online speech to the agency on November 3rd.
We are counting on Minister Smith to direct the IESO to develop a plan to phase-out our gas plants ASAP at the lowest possible cost. After all, it was a Progressive Conservative (PC) government that started the move away from fossil fuels for the Ontario electricity system with the coal phase-out, and now a PC government can finish it by eliminating polluting gas power.
Here’s how. First, Mr. Smith needs to direct the IESO to develop a plan to return the gas plants’ pollution back to their 2017 level ASAP as requested by Ontario’s municipalities.
Second, Mr. Smith needs to direct the IESO to develop a plan to achieve a complete gas power phase-out by 2030.
We can achieve these dual goals and lower our electricity bills by implementing the following five step plan:
2. Banning gas-fired electricity exports to the U.S.
5. Installing two-way chargers for our electric vehicles so that their batteries can provide power to the grid during peak demand hours. This is urgent. It is cheaper to incentivize two-way charging now before millions of “dumb” one-way chargers are purchased.
What you can do
Minister Tod Smith
1. Please send a message to Minister Smith and ask him to direct the IESO to develop a plan to phase-out gas-fired power by 2030 at the lowest possible cost.
2. Register to watch Minister Smith’s online presentation to the IESO on Wed. November 3, 9 a.m by emailing: engagement@ieso.ca. Minister Smith’s speech will begin immediately after the opening remarks.
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