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02/23/2009
CanWEA applauds introduction of Ontario's Green Energy Act
Ontario’s Green Energy Act seizes the opportunity to create jobs, drive investment and reduce emissions through increased development of renewable energy
(Ottawa) – The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) applauded the announcement of Ontario’s proposed Green Energy Act (GEA) tabled today by the Honorable George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. Ontario is currently Canada’s wind leader with 782 Megawatts of installed wind capacity, a figure that will increase to at least 1,200 MW by the end of 2009, powering more than 325,000 homes. CanWEA is confident that the GEA will drive further growth of wind energy in the province and firmly establish Ontario as a North American leader in the development of a new “Green Economy” that creates jobs, drives investment and reduces emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants.
“With today’s tabling of the Green Energy Act, the Ontario Government has sent a clear signal that wind and other renewable energies will play a key role in meeting the province’s economic and environmental objectives going forward,” said Robert Hornung, President of CanWEA. “The GEA is a bold, forward-thinking initiative that will accelerate wind energy investment in Ontario, benefitting the province’s manufacturing sector as well as its rural communities. This is particularly important in light of increased competition for such investment, as exemplified by President Obama’s target of doubling renewable energy production in a span of three years.”
Wind energy represents a major industrial development and economic stimulus opportunity for Ontario. Between now and 2020 it is estimated that $1 trillion will be invested in new wind energy facilities worldwide and that more than 1.75 million jobs will be created in this rapidly growing industry. The GEA positions Ontario to capture a growing share of these economic, environmental and social benefits.
“CanWEA and its members are committed to working with the government and its agencies in the coming months to work out details in key areas such as pricing, transmission build-out and streamlining of the permitting and approvals process,” said Hornung. “The GEA provides an excellent framework, but there is a great deal of work to do in developing the operational details needed for its successful implementation.”
CanWEA believes that the GEA is an important step towards achievement of CanWEA’s Wind Vision 2025 – Powering Canada’s Future which envisions 20% of Canada’s electricity provided by wind energy by 2025. CanWEA and its more than 400 corporate members are committed to promoting the responsible development of wind energy in Canada to the benefit of all Canadians.
CanWEA spokespeople are available for interviews on this subject.
For more information:
Ulrike Kucera, Media Relations Officer: (office) 613 234-8716 ext. 228 or (cel) 613-867-4433
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