The Green Energy Act is no more, having received Royal Assent.
That means local municipalities will have the power to block unwanted wind and solar farms, says a government news release.
“The Liberal’s Green Energy Act took powers away from municipalities to stop expensive and unneeded energy projects and led to skyrocketing electricity rates for Ontario families,” said Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli. “Under the previous government, energy rates tripled, driving manufacturing jobs out of Ontario and hurting hardworking families.”
Fedeli says the repeal gives the government the authority to stop approvals for energy projects where the need for electricity has not been demonstrated.
“The Green Energy Act represents the largest transfer of money from the poor and middle class to the rich in Ontario’s history,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines. “Well-connected energy insiders made fortunes putting up wind-farms and solar panels that gouge hydro consumers in order to generate electricity that Ontario doesn’t need.
“One of the first actions your government took was to cancel 758 expensive and wasteful energy projects as part of our plan to cut hydro rates by 12 per cent for the people of Ontario, saving $790 million for electricity customers,” said Rickford. “The days of sweetheart deals for energy insiders and unpopular projects forced on local municipalities are over.”
