McGuinty Government’s Green Energy Act Provides Certainty

For immediate release

Waterpower Industry Shovel Ready

February 23, 2009 – Toronto – The Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA) applauds today’s introduction of the Green Energy Act, and its focus on accelerating the contribution of new renewable energy projects.”The Green Energy Act will provide waterpower facility owners and developers with much needed certainty. Waterpower is clean, renewable, economical, accrues substantial construction benefits directly to our provincial economy and it provides the flexibility essential to our provincial grid operators.” said Ian Kerr OWA Chair. “Waterpower has long been a cornerstone of Ontario’s power system but much potential remains to be developed. The Green Energy Act will create an efficient and certain environment for significant new waterpower development which will pay dividends now and to many future generations of Ontarians.”

The Honourable George Smitherman Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure signaled the government’s intent at the OWA’s fall conference:

“We’ve come a long way in the energy renaissance already, thanks in part to the strong energy foundation that we have. Work on that foundation began a century ago with waterpower. By enhancing the capacity here in the province of Ontario … by getting our government ministries better aligned and our energy agencies better able to support the mission at hand collectively we can celebrate more success in bringing more waterpower to the renewable supply mix in the province of Ontario.”

“This government is sending a strong message that the province will be a leader in renewable energy”, said Paul Norris, President of the OWA. “I look forward to working with the key ministries and agencies on the supporting regulatory and policy frameworks. I am particularly pleased with the emphasis on enabling Aboriginal Community participation”, added Norris. “The OWA has spent considerable time on Aboriginal capacity building and I believe it is key to the successful development of any renewable energy project in Ontario.”

The Ontario Waterpower Association was formed in May 2001 and represents more than 95% of Ontario waterpower producers. Waterpower is clean, renewable and accounts for more than one quarter of Ontario’s energy mix. It is of critical importance in responding to daily and weekly changes in demand. Almost 200 facilities are distributed across Ontario – a strategic security advantage. For more information, contact Paul Norris, OWA President at 705-743-1500.

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