Green Energy Act Changes Things In Ontario
May 1, 2009
By
Canadian Consulting Engineer
By April, Ontario Was Holding Hearings into its proposed Green Energy Act. Groups ranging from power producers, to manufacturers, to environmentalists like David Suzuki voiced strong support for the l...
By April, Ontario Was Holding Hearings into its proposed Green Energy Act. Groups ranging from power producers, to manufacturers, to environmentalists like David Suzuki voiced strong support for the legislation. The American Council on Renewable Energy called it, “The most comprehensive renewable energy policy entered anywhere around the world.”
The main thrust of the Act is to encourage the development of renewable power generation. Strategies include having guaranteed rates for renewable power, streamlined approvals, and a smart grid.
On the conservation side, the Act would make energy efficiency “a key purpose of Ontario’s Building Code.” It would also require homes to have an energy audit done before they are sold. The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) is saying this requirement could be interpreted more widely to apply to all buildings, including commercial ones.
Meanwhile, the federal government is proposing a voluntary building energy rating system for the whole of Canada that would be based on the U. S. Energy Star program. It began conversations with the provinces, the Canada Green Building Council, BOMA and other groups this spring.
