TORONTO, Sept. 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the provincial election date set for June 7th, 2018, the Ontario Energy Association (OEA) today released a new Energy Platform to provide all of Ontario’s political parties with recommendations on how to optimize energy policy for Ontario energy consumers. The recommendations have been shaped by three key objectives that will provide Ontarians with an energy system that is 1) lowest cost; 2) clean; and 3) reliable.
“Ontario energy consumers want energy options that are low cost, clean and reliable,” said Anthony Haines, Chair of the OEA, and President & CEO of Toronto Hydro Corporation. “The OEA Energy Platform provides a roadmap for Ontario’s political parties as to how they can deliver on those objectives.”
The Energy Platform recommendations focus on three key areas:
- Reforming the governance of energy planning;
- Optimizing use of existing infrastructure; and
- Lead regulatory evolution.
The global energy sector is in the midst of a major transformation driven in part by innovation and new technologies. To ensure Ontario consumers get the greatest benefit from this transformation, proper energy planning governance structures will be needed to instill investor confidence, encourage innovation and minimize costs.
“Ontario needs to update its energy planning governance framework to ensure consumers achieve maximum benefit from an energy sector that is going through an accelerating transformation,” said Vince Brescia, President & CEO of the OEA.
The second area of focus in the platform is on optimizing the use of Ontario’s current energy infrastructure. Ontario has the benefit of over $130 billion in existing energy generation, transmission and distribution assets.
“Delivering clean reliable energy at a low cost to consumers requires that we take full advantage of Ontario’s tremendous existing energy infrastructure,” said Brescia.
The third area of focus is on Ontario’s regulatory system. Ontario’s evolving energy marketplace requires a regulatory system that is capable of adapting to accommodate the changing needs of, and options available to, consumers, utilities, energy service providers, and new market entrants.
“The province, OEB and stakeholders together need to lead a formal review of Ontario’s regulatory framework to ensure we deliver a system that is meeting the consumer’s evolving needs,” said Brescia.
A digital copy of the OEA Energy Platform can be viewed here.
About the OEA
The Ontario Energy Association (OEA) is the credible and trusted voice of the energy sector. We earn our reputation by being an integral and influential part of energy policy development and decision making in Ontario. We represent Ontario’s energy leaders that span the full diversity of the energy industry.
For more information:
Vince Brescia
President & CEO
Ontario Energy Association
416.961.8874
vince@energyontario.ca
Leanne Ryan
Marketing & Communications Associate
Ontario Energy Association
647.463.5244
leanne@energyontario.ca