NDP: IESO’s recent announcements puts Ontario’s climate targets and electricity affordability at risk

QUEEN’S PARK – Ontario NDP critic for Energy and Climate Action, Peter Tabuns (Toronto-Danforth), issued the following statement in response to IESO’s latest announcement:

“While we welcome seven new battery storage facilities announced by the IESO this morning, we are deeply concerned by their decision to increase reliance on gas and expand multiple facilities.

While the entire world moves towards greener and more sustainable energy sources, Ontario’s expected decision to increase gas-fired power plants undermines plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – further demonstrating the Conservatives’ lack of commitment to meaningful climate action. Natural gas-fired power plants provide costly power and given the developments in the climate fight, it may be that the new plants will have to shut down in 2035. This would leave Ontarians on the hook to pay for them until the contract end dates of 2040, and possibly later. Ontarians would be stuck paying for these decisions long after the plants have been shut down.

These are not the solutions Ontarians want or need. There are reliable, affordable and more sustainable solutions – but this government is ignoring them.”