Deal could undercut Ontario's green energy plan
by Peter GorrieToo clever for his own good?
That might be the case for Energy Minister George Smitherman, who aims to turn Ontario into a renewable-energy superpower and create thousands of green-collar jobs.
Both are great ideas. But a deal being made on the sidelines could undo much of what Smitherman and the Liberal government are trying to accomplish.
The plan, unveiled last month, features a feed-in tariff; a promise the province will pay premium prices, guaranteed 20 years, for electricity generated by wind, solar, biomass or other renewable sources. In hopes of ensuring manufacturing jobs do materialize here, it also requires project developers to buy some of their equipment and services in Ontario.
The announcement won positive reviews from both environmental advocates and industry officials. But six days later, with no fanfare, Smitherman issued a directive to the program's manager, the Ontario Power Authority that's causing some second thoughts.
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