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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
June 16, 2004 Ontario
engineers support restructure of province’s electricity
system
TORONTO,
June 16, 2004 - The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers
(OSPE) expressed support today for the McGuinty Government’s
plan to introduce new legislation that will restructure Ontario’s
electricity system. The statement came after Energy Minister
Dwight Duncan, MPP announced plans to develop new supply,
boost conservation and introduce price stability for consumers.
“We’re
pleased that conservation and renewable energy is being viewed
as a priority by this government,” said Chris Cragg,
MBA, P.Eng., Vice Chair of OSPE and Chair of OSPE’s
Energy Working Group. “We have long held that conservation
and sustainable new generation are of equal importance to
the economy and quality of life in Ontario. We look forward
to reviewing the new legislation in detail and sharing the
expertise of Ontario’s engineers with the government
during the consultation process.”
In February
2004, OSPE made a Pre-Budget Submission to the Standing Committee
on Finance and Economic Affairs, urging the government to
actively promote conservation and invest in generation. The
submission strongly endorsed the creation of an “Office
of Energy Efficiency” and a central electricity system
planning and implementation authority, as suggested in the
government’s Electricity Conservation and Supply Task
Force Final Report. As such, OSPE was very pleased to see
that the new legislation will provide for the creation of
a new Ontario Power Authority to ensure an adequate, long-term
supply of electricity, as well as a Conservation Bureau to
promote demand-side management.
OSPE also
supports plans to implement true value pricing for electricity.
“As we have stated in the past, only by paying the true
cost of electricity will consumers realize the need to conserve,”
Mr. Cragg, MBA, P.Eng., said. “At the same time, we
recognize that the price cap must be eased off gradually to
mitigate the impact on consumers.”
The Ontario
Society of Professional Engineers is the voice of the engineering
profession in Ontario. The organization advances the professional
and economic interests of the province’s 65,000+ professional
engineers by advocating with governments, offering valued
member services, and providing opportunities for ongoing professional
development. For more information about OSPE, please visit
www.ospe.on.ca.
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Find
out more about OSPE's position on Energy Supply.
For more
information please contact:
Andrea
Ritter
Manager, Communications
Ontario Society of Professional Engineers
(416) 223-9961 Ext. 237
aritter@ospe.on.ca
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