Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Sault Ste. Marie supports the Green Energy Act
A warm welcome for green energy as the legislative committee hit the road with its first stop in Sault Ste. Marie yesterday to discuss the Green Energy Act. Sault Ste. Marie deputants overwhelmingly supported the government's vision for the proposed Green Energy Act.
Some highlights included: a local distribution company that welcomed the ability to develop and own renewable energy generation; a solar installation company that praised the government for speaking strongly against resistance to change; a First Nations energy group that supported the act for its jobs creation potential in northern communities; and steelworkers who were pleased with the potential to keep their mills in operation in the Sault.
There were also a number of suggestions for how to improve the Act. Recommendations included: ensuring that necessary investments in grid upgrades are not solely the burden of the renewable energy developers; better support for cooperatives and community owned projects; targeting diesel dependent communities; creating a feed-in tariff for heat from geothermal and other technologies; and the inclusion of mechanisms to support industrial innovation and local content.
Shortage of Energy Auditors
One notable exception to support for the Act was the Sault Ste. Marie Real Estate Board representative who cautioned that the lack of certified home energy auditors would be a barrier to implementation of the home energy auditing elements of the Act. While a real concern to rural Ontario home sellers, such obstacles are an indication of the job creation potential in
the Act.
During the committee hearings we are often seeing a somewhat polarized view of the Act's energy audit provisions but, curiously, objections are most vocally from people who make a living from selling homes, not people who are buying them. Either the audits are seen as a necessary step and a mechanism to allow home buyers to know the full cost of their purchase, or they are
seen as a tax that decreases the value of homes. The reality is that any serious home buyer would demand a home inspection to ensure the house is safe AND an energy audit to find out the real cost of owning the house. Yes, this is a new measure of value of a home but it is growing in popularity and, to ensure fairness to home buyers, must be mandatory.
Why are many of those selling us houses so scared of energy audits? The reason is that these new provisions would require them to disclose the true cost of the homes they are building and selling. Those people building and selling quality homes need not be concerned. Those cutting corners will be exposed as they continue to argue against energy audits that protect home
buyers and increase the value of quality properties.
Favourite quotes from the Sault
The Act "speaks strongly against resistance to change" (Northern Lights Energy Systems Ltd) and "is good for all Canadians" (Steelworkers - Essar Algoma Steel)
Finally, special recognition for Peter Tabuns' comments that likened the move towards renewable energy jobs to the introduction of cars that reduced jobs in the carriage industry, and the emergence of personal computers that reduced jobs in the manufacturing of typewriters (sorry, no quote without Hansard). What would Ontario do without these two industries? This was a brilliant and timely illustration of the short-sighted thinking that criticizes fostering a renewable energy industry in Ontario.
Next stop, London.
Mike Layton
Mike Layton is a program manager for Environmental Defence, a proud member of the Green Energy Act Alliance.
Some highlights included: a local distribution company that welcomed the ability to develop and own renewable energy generation; a solar installation company that praised the government for speaking strongly against resistance to change; a First Nations energy group that supported the act for its jobs creation potential in northern communities; and steelworkers who were pleased with the potential to keep their mills in operation in the Sault.
There were also a number of suggestions for how to improve the Act. Recommendations included: ensuring that necessary investments in grid upgrades are not solely the burden of the renewable energy developers; better support for cooperatives and community owned projects; targeting diesel dependent communities; creating a feed-in tariff for heat from geothermal and other technologies; and the inclusion of mechanisms to support industrial innovation and local content.
Shortage of Energy Auditors
One notable exception to support for the Act was the Sault Ste. Marie Real Estate Board representative who cautioned that the lack of certified home energy auditors would be a barrier to implementation of the home energy auditing elements of the Act. While a real concern to rural Ontario home sellers, such obstacles are an indication of the job creation potential in
the Act.
During the committee hearings we are often seeing a somewhat polarized view of the Act's energy audit provisions but, curiously, objections are most vocally from people who make a living from selling homes, not people who are buying them. Either the audits are seen as a necessary step and a mechanism to allow home buyers to know the full cost of their purchase, or they are
seen as a tax that decreases the value of homes. The reality is that any serious home buyer would demand a home inspection to ensure the house is safe AND an energy audit to find out the real cost of owning the house. Yes, this is a new measure of value of a home but it is growing in popularity and, to ensure fairness to home buyers, must be mandatory.
Why are many of those selling us houses so scared of energy audits? The reason is that these new provisions would require them to disclose the true cost of the homes they are building and selling. Those people building and selling quality homes need not be concerned. Those cutting corners will be exposed as they continue to argue against energy audits that protect home
buyers and increase the value of quality properties.
Favourite quotes from the Sault
The Act "speaks strongly against resistance to change" (Northern Lights Energy Systems Ltd) and "is good for all Canadians" (Steelworkers - Essar Algoma Steel)
Finally, special recognition for Peter Tabuns' comments that likened the move towards renewable energy jobs to the introduction of cars that reduced jobs in the carriage industry, and the emergence of personal computers that reduced jobs in the manufacturing of typewriters (sorry, no quote without Hansard). What would Ontario do without these two industries? This was a brilliant and timely illustration of the short-sighted thinking that criticizes fostering a renewable energy industry in Ontario.
Next stop, London.
Mike Layton
Mike Layton is a program manager for Environmental Defence, a proud member of the Green Energy Act Alliance.
Labels: committee hearings, energy auditors, Green Energy Act, Sault Ste. Marie
¶ 11:06 AM
Post a Comment