Revisiting former energy minister George Smitherman’s claim Ontario’s Green Energy Act would only cost 1 % a year. He was off a bit.
Shortly after former Energy Minister, George Smitherman introduced Bill 150, the Green Energy and Green Economy Act (GEA) in the Ontario Legislature, he appeared before the Standing Committee on General Government and was given 10 minutes. One of the points he made was: “We anticipate about 1% per year of additional rate increase associated with the bill’s implementation over the next 15 years.”
Mr. Smitherman was called on earlier this week to answer questions (presumably under oath) about a NAFTA action brought against Canada as a direct result of the GEA. The action was brought by Windstream Energy of the U.S. regarding its planned, offshore 300-megawatt (MW) capacity wind power development in Eastern Lake Ontario, the WWIS or Windstream Wolfe Island Shoals.
The testimony of Mr. Smitherman was reported on by Tom Adams who attended the hearing. It should be noted the action is seeking $475 million and Mr. Smitherman was appearing on behalf of the plaintiff not in defense of Canada’s taxpayers.
If I were relying on anyone for testimony in respect to an issue such as this, my instinct would lead me to avoid seeking Mr. Smitherman’s help. The reason I say that is because of what he told the Standing Committee back in 2009, and what has happened since.
About that 1% forecast
The January 2016 reports from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) for the hourly Ontario energy price (HOEP) and the Global Adjustment Mechanism (GA) are now out. When one compares the costs of the commodity (electricity) to January 2015 results, the increase is nothing short of a shock.
The combined HOEP and GA for 2015 was $80.23/MWh or 8.02 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh); that’s before before the 10% reduction that came from the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit (OCEB)1. Which means the delivered cost of a kWh of electricity was 7.2 cents for most “Class B” ratepayers. The values for January 2016, on the other hand, are $105.48/MWH or 10.55cents/kWh, combining the HOEP and the GA.
What that means is, the cost of the commodity (electricity) increased by $33.27 (3.33cents/kWh) year over year or, in percentage terms, the price jumped 41.5% … in just one year.
Wouldn’t we all love to cross examine Mr. Smitherman right now. We could perhaps inquire about his math skills and why he testified in 2009 that future electricity prices as a result of the GEA would be just 1% per year!
© Parker Gallant.
February 18, 2016
- The OECB ceased effective January 1, 2016.
The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent Wind Concerns Ontario or its policies.
5 Comments
Sommer
This is shocking Parker! Thank you for exposing the details.
We need to get right to the bottom of this!
Pat Cusack
seems like this whole liberal Govt. is math challenged and they are also responsible for the education system. Scary.
Andre Lauzon
It’s amazing that, without blushing, a Minister could tell such stupid lies and if it not a lie it is gross stupidity. I think everyone who wants to run for public office should have to write an exam to qualify. We have too many morons in this gov’t…………right Mr. Chiarelli?
Thanks again Mr. Gallant.
Theresa
The government knows exactly what it’s doing. In the grand scheme of things, it’s brilliant! However, their actions are not in the best interest and well being of the people of Ontario.
Who put these people in power?????
Will we going to do it…AGAIN…. come next election???
It’s the people of Ontario who are challenged and need an education. Unfortunately it will be from the school of hard knocks.
Greg Latiak
The line between ‘truthiness’ and bulls*** seems to be along the line of whether the originator cared if anyone believed them. I am sure if push came to shove one of their master circumlocutors could find a way of redefining things so their 1% number could be justified. After all, in some circles we are expected to accept ‘truth’ as what ever they say it is… I think that used to be called the big lie…