Susan Dexter is an avowed environmentalist who deeply fears the effects of global warming. So, when she heard of a neighbourhood program to help residents install solar photovoltaic panels on their rooftops, she was one of the first to sign up. However, now that the government has announced its intent to pay nearly twice as much for electricity from rooftop solar systems under its new the feed-in tariff program, she feels penalized.

Would you consider writing a brief submission to the Ontario Legislature regarding the Green Energy Act? And would you consider including the Green Energy Act Alliance's proposed amendments as part of your submission? If so, please click for more information, resources and support. Submissions are due by next Wednesday - April 22 at 5:00PM. Thanks!

The introduction of the Green Energy Act was received with wide applause and is being hailed by some as the most revolutionary energy legislation in North America. Dr. Hermann Scheer, who led Germany's revolution in renewables, predicts "it will place Ontario as a world leader in industrial innovation and climate protection."

Minister of Energy and Infrastructure George Smitherman has announced that the Ontario Power Authority will be establishing a system of feed-in tariffs as a result of the pending Green Energy Act. He also released the proposed tariffs for a host of renewable energy technologies. Public consultation on the tariffs is currently underway.

The Ontario Sustainability Energy Association's long campaign for policies that encourage community-owned green energy projects has achieved huge success with the announcement of the Green Energy Act. An amendment to existing legislation governing co-operatives will make it much easier to establish energy co-ops.

Finally there is a mechanism that rewards homeowners for energy efficiency where it counts: the resale value of their properties. Realtors, however, are concerned about the provision in the Green Energy Act that requires all homeowners to provide "information, reports or ratings" on energy consumption and efficiency before selling their property.

From Kingston in the east, to Sault Ste. Marie in the north and south to Chatham, the Green Energy Act road show was met with great enthusiasm for renewable energy and an eagerness on the part of many to do their bit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by producing clean power.

See the items that appeared in past newsletters.