Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

The CFFO Commentary: Time for A Review of Ontario’s Green Energy Act

By Lorne Small
January 6, 2012
 
The Ontario Green Energy Act is a courageous move by the Ontario government to kickstart a new vision of sustainable energy. You have to applaud a government that is prepared to tackle a global issue like climate change even if serious debate remains regarding whether climate change is caused by normal global cycles or by human contributions.
Many farm families have benefited from the Green Energy Act by participating in the Micro FIT (Feed-In- Tariff) solar panel program. They have been able to diversify their farm business into an enterprise that guarantees a fair return for the next 20 years. Outside of supply management these types of opportunities seldom are available to farmers. However many other farm families have real apprehension with the introduction of wind turbines into their neighbourhood. They must live with some of the potential problems while not sharing in the rewards.
Ontario farmers and the Ontario Auditor General, Jim McCarter, share some of the same concerns. Mr. McCarter expressed concern that the Green Energy Act overrides existing legislation to approve wind and solar projects without the normal planning and oversight process. The government hoped that 50,000 jobs would be created. But the auditor notes that studies in other jurisdictions show that for every job created up to four other jobs may be lost. He also questioned the $7 billion Samsung deal which was signed with no formal economic analysis. When completed, this project will cover large acreages of farm land with fields of solar panels. This concerns many farm communities when food-producing farmland is in high demand.
Ontario has had a history of providing electricity that was both reliable and cost competitive. Unfortunately, wind and solar does not meet either objective. When the wind does not blow, or the sun does not shine, energy generation is minimal. To replace the green electricity that is not being generated, fossil fuel generators must be on standby and quickly activated to maintain reliability. Frequently, green electricity is generated when demand is low, creating an oversupply.
The rates paid for green electricity are substantially higher than conventional electricity, adding $220 million annually to the cost of electricity. Both urban and rural consumers are becoming increasingly concerned with the escalating cost of electricity. It may not be fair but the Green Energy Act is being singled out as part of the problem.
Now is the time for the Ontario Government to undertake a sober re-evaluation of the path to a greener energy system. Serious long term thinking is required. Options on the table should include using waste materials, conservation as well as renewable and non-renewable sources. Thoughtful consultation with energy feasibility professionals and a wide range of citizens will inject a high degree of common sense as we move down the road to a sustainable energy system.

 
 

Lorne Small is the President of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario. The CFFO Commentary represents the opinions of the writer and does not necessarily represent CFFO policy. The CFFO Commentary is heard weekly on CFCO Chatham, CKNX Wingham, and UCB Canada radio stations in Chatham, Belleville, Bancroft, Brockville and Kingston and in Brantford and Woodstock. It is also found on the CFFO website:www.christianfarmers.org. CFFO is supported by 4,200 family farmers across Ontario.

Views: 62

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

UM Aggie Bedpush rolls across Manitoba to support rural health and wellness

The annual Aggie Bedpush is back this fall, continuing a beloved tradition of fundraising and community spirit led by students from the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. From September 26 to 28, students will push their iconic burgundy bed through Manitoba towns, raising money for two meaningful causes: STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service) Foundation and the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program Bedpush organizer Pyper Hollar explains the deep connection between these charities and the farming community. “Many Aggies live and or work in rural communities meaning that the nearest hospital can be at least an hour’s drive away. STARS is an Air Rescue service that can provide not only hospital transport when trouble arises, but has an incredible team of highly skilled professionals who can treat on the ground and in the air; STARS can be the difference between life and death for many Aggies out there,” she says. Mental health is another key concern. “Th

Tasters needed for bread acceptability research study

We are recruiting volunteers to participate in a Sensory Research Study in Food and Human Nutritional Sciences in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. You would have the opportunity to take part in sensory research and learn methods related to the acceptability of food products. Details including the consent form and screening questionnaire are in the Information Package link below. Title: Acceptability of Bread with a Bioactive Ingredient Principal Investigator: Dr. Cristina Rosell (cristina.rosell@umanitoba.ca) Activity: Observe, smell and taste bread samples to determine degree of liking of appearance, aroma, flavor, texture and overall Eligibility: No allergies to foods or beverages, no sensitivity to gluten, 18 years of age or older, and no direct involvement or knowledge of the project Commitment: One Session about 20 minutes Session Options: September 23, 25, 26, October 1 and 2 every 30 minutes from 11:30 to 1:30 inclusive Where: Fourth Floor Human Ecology Buil

Saskatchewan harvest chugs along

There was good harvest progress over much of Saskatchewan last week—although there were rain delays in some areas. The weekly Saskatchewan Agriculture report says combining is 41 per cent complete—up from 23 per cent the previous week. The five-year average is 58 per cent and the ten-year average is 49 per cent. The southwest is 55 per cent combined and the southeast is at the halfway point. Plenty of progress made in the northwest last week, which is now at 41 per cent combined. East-central sits at 31 per cent with west-central and the northeast at 27 per cent combined. Peas are mostly in the bin with lentils at 84 per cent. Moving to the cereal crops—barley is 54 per cent combined, durum 49 per cent, while spring wheat and oats are 35 per cent harvested. Canola sits at 12 per cent combined and flax at three per cent. Volunteer crop reporters were asked to provide yield estimates—keeping in mind there can be large variations between fields due to scattered rainfall during the gro

“More positive than anticipated” is how Saskatchewan’s Premier terms meetings with Chinese government officials

Premier Scott Moe is crossing more time zones on Monday only two days after finishing a trade mission to China and Japan last week. Moe spoke to reporters at the Saskatoon airport prior to departing on a flight to the nation’s capital for additional meetings with Prime Minister Mark Carney and senior cabinet ministers. Moe and the Prime Minister’s parliamentary secretary Kody Blois met with officials within the Chinese Commerce Ministry—the body that is responsible for implementing import tariffs. It has placed very hefty preliminary tariffs on Canadian canola seed—as well as canola oil, canola meal, peas and pork. Those tariffs were seen as a response to Canadian tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. That tariff was implemented at the request of the United States. It’s hoped the trade mission will begin a gradual process to improve relations between Canada and China.

Ontario’s most problematic weed -- Canada Fleabane Cuts Corn and Soybean Yields

Persistent Canada fleabane, now resistant to multiple herbicides, causes significant yield losses in Ontario corn and soybeans, demanding zero-tolerance management and adjusted herbicide programs.

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service