Green Energy Act moving forward

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Ontario’s Bill 150, the Green Energy and Economy Act is scheduled for a third reading at the end of May, and is almost certain to be passed into law. The bill has been the subject of a fair bit of public debate, as it went before Committee consultations in last few weeks.

In the process, Ontario Energy Minister George Smitherman announced a series of amendments to Bill 150. For one, he has backed down from a plan to require energy audits for all house purchases. Instead home buyers will be able to waive their right to the $300 audit, provided it’s in writing.

Other amendments include:

  • more grounds for appeal against renewable energy approvals, in response to health concerns
  • a new consultation process involving municipalities and government ministries on renewable energy project sitings
  • a strengthening of the province’s commitment to domestic content requirements (which must be consistent with trade agreement obligations) for renewable energy projects, to promote local job creation