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Government for the People Repeals Green Energy Act

NORTH BAY – Ontario’s Government for the People has delivered on its promise to repeal the Green Energy Act, 2009. With the repeal legislation receiving Royal Assent, the Green Energy Act is off the books in Ontario. This includes full repeal of provisions that stripped away the power of local municipalities to block unwanted wind and solar farms.

“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.”

This repeal legislation gives the government the authority to stop approvals for wasteful energy projects where the need for electricity has not been demonstrated. This will put the brakes on additional projects that would add costs to electricity bills that the people of Ontario simply cannot afford.

“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 Minister Rickford. “The days of sweetheart deals for energy insiders and unpopular projects forced on local municipalities are over.”