8000 MW of Solar Applications in Ontario Right Now

For our international friends reading these postings, quoting the National Post newspaper is like quoting Glenn Beck. Further, you can't blame the Green Energy Act or solar power for holding up new transmission lines if that indeed caused the blackout.

I reviewed Toms analysis and his estimation of cost to consumers has very little in the way of evidence or calculations. As my grade 7 math teacher often reminded me - "show your work".

Further, yes the OPA Chair operates as a senior executive in the energy sector. Surprised? Others on the OPA have other jobs, I hope they have experience with energy too. Further, the current chair is into hydro power whose FITs are in line with conventional power.

FYI. Your website is horrible to navigate. I hope your a better energy consultant for the nuclear or coal industry than you are a communicator.

Recently the OPA announced a proposed rate change for ground-mounted solar systems that will affect nearly 70% of all microFIT applicants. As if a rate change was not bad enough, the applicants who in good faith applied for contracts as far back as January are going to be retroactively affected by the change should it be adopted. The OPA's proposed rate change has already sent ripples of uncertainty and disappointment through the industry, with the real damage yet to be done. This rate change has the potential to cripple the industry before it has even gotten off the ground. The OPA has described this up and down rollercoaster as "the growing pains of a new industry". For those who have invested their life savings in projects or built businesses based on the program this is much more than "growing pains", these are crippling and quite possibly bankrupting blows.

We are now in the midst of a '30-day comment period' before this change is considered final. Together we must act quickly and decisively with a unified effort to contact everyone who may be affected by this change. We also encourage everyone to contact your local MPP's and inform them of the serious damage this proposed rate change will have, and how it will impact the economic growth and stability in their riding. (http://www.ontariotenants.ca/government/mpp.phtml). We encourage you to make your voice heard by joining the call to action and filling out the petition located through the following link www.microfitaction.com.

Here is more detail explaining how foggy green thinking prevented Toronto from making the transmission upgrades that would have eliminated the July 5th blackout that left more than 250,0000 people without power. http://www.financialpost.com/opinion/columnists/3247806/story.html

Here is an analysis of the rate impact for Ontario consumers of the FIT contracts let as of December 1/'09 and the microFIT contracts let as of May 7/'10. http://tomadamsenergy.com/?attachment_id=476

My web site documents many, many cases of conflicted interests, unregistered lobbying, and direct government funding of lobbyists. See for example, this discussion of a $1.7 billion government contract let to a consortium lead by the company whose chairman is also the chairman of the Ontario Power Authority. http://tomadamsenergy.com/?p=515

Interesting , it would be nice if all countries could be clean energy independant. Used to be electricity was very inexpensive to the end user and we liked it that way. Of course we used a lot less then. Now it's getting so expensive= more use right , and we will pay even more for green electricity. I think the message is , to lower energy cost we must reduce our usage.

Come on Tom, you know better than that. Your misinformation campaign against the green energy act is legendary in Ontario.
Green Blackout? It was a blown transformer not resulting from green energy. Rates skyrocketing? Half the current rate increase is the new HST (a tax unrelated to power) and most of the rest is upgrades to transmission, not green power. Corruption? Who is getting charged? No charges has been alleged or laid. Stirring up trade tensions? The International United Steelworkers Union supports the local content requirements.

The proposed decrease in the ground-mounted FIT rate is very unfortunate and hopefully the government will decide not to change it and instead set prices in a more transparent way.

Are Ontario's green electricity policies a "success"? Rates are skyrocketing, Toronto has had its first green blackout, there are clear indications of serious corruption with unregistered lobbyists and criminal charges laid within the Energy Ministry, and protectionist elements of the green electricity policies are stirring up trade tensions with the United States.

Is Ontario committed to GHG control? The McGuinty government has hugely subsidized car manufacturing, with the most generous manufacturing subsidies directed at promoting the Camaro.