It's likely that this will be the biggest issue of the upcoming Provincial election. Skyrocketing hydro bills, unemployment and the security of Ontario can all trace their roots to energy. The Green Party of Ontario supports the following:
-Residents, communities and businesses can and should be able to generate their own power and feed it into the power grid.
-Power generartion decisions need to be community based with excellent two-way communication. This will reduce the 'not in my backyard' syndrome as well as prevent big projects that circumvent government rules (like the Holland Marsh Peaker Plant)
-A loan guarantee program will be established to ensure that power projects are locally owned and controlled, to enhance community sustainability and to prevent massive hydro/wind/solar projects being developed against community's will
What does this mean for Guelph?
Over a longer period of time we'll have lower and more predictable energy prices. We will get to control where solar panels, wind turbines and hydro projects go.
The biggest loss of electricity is in power lines travelling long distances (it converts to heat in the power lines). Locally owned and controlled projects create nearby power sources that are far more efficient and lose less electricity.
We will generate local jobs in the development of new energy sources.
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