Have we learned nothing from the gas plant fiasco?

Political interference in long-term energy planning will cost Ontarians.

TORONTO, Oct. 10, 2013 /CNW/ - Reacting to the Wynne government's decision to take future nuclear procurement off the table, Scott Travers, President of the Society of Energy Professionals reacted strongly. "Have we learned nothing from the recent gas plant fiasco? When politicians make hasty policy to score political points every Ontarian pays."

According to an October 10 Globe and Mail report, the Wynne government is taking this position "aimed at serving Ms. Wynne's political goals." Yet in the same article, an official is quoted saying that "Provincial officials said the preferred mix of nuclear, gas, wind, and other forms of power generation is still being hammered out."

The Wynne government's decision to abandon new nuclear facilities was later confirmed by Minister of Energy Bob Chiarelli.

The government's anticipated Long-Term Energy Plan is due shortly and has received considerable input by industry, consumer and energy professionals on the direction that Ontario's energy planning should take over the next 20 years. "We have crass political interference when we should use evidence-based planning to help determine our future energy needs," said Travers.

"In this current environment no decision on new build or any other major infrastructure project should be made until the reliability, feasibility and economic prudence of competing options have been has been examined by the ‎Ontario Energy Board, as contemplated in existing legislation," said Travers.

"Ontarians are now very skeptical about their government's handling of energy," Travers pointed out. "If we want to provide the best, greenest and lowest cost energy then we need to hear from the professionals using evidence-based planning to determine what the right mix is now and in the future. Anything less will get us back into the mess we're in now."

The Society of Energy Professionals represents 8,300 knowledge workers and supervisors employed by 13 employers that are responsible for the generation, transmission and regulation of energy in Ontario in both the broader public and private sectors.  

SOURCE: The Society of Energy Professionals

Contact:

Scott Travers, President, The Society of Energy Professionals,

Cell: [phone]

Adam Chaleff-Freudenthaler, Communications Officer, The Society of Energy Professionals,

Cell: [phone]