Winning in Ontario’s Energy Greening Game

Since the Ontario Liberals came to power under Premier McGuinty in 2003, garlanded with promises to green the province’s energy system, among the big winners in the ensuing race to grab cash from the citizens of Ontario have been some of Ontario’s energy bureaucracies.

In 2003, the Ontario Ministry of Energy spent $6.05 million on administration. By 2013, that figure had risen to $13.2 million.

In 2003, the Ontario Ministry of Energy spent a further $27.8 million on what it called “Energy Development and Management”. Of this amount, $18.1 million was allocated to the Ontario Energy Board, indicating only $9.7 million for Ministry-administered pork. By 2013, that figure had risen to $70.6 million with none of that amount allocated to the Ontario Energy Board, which had become self-funding due to legislative changes.

The OEB has failed to report its annual financial statements since F2010/11. In that year, the OEB spent $34.8 million, a growth of 6.55% over the previous year.

There is some evidence that the Ontario Liberals are losing their ardor for their planned energy transformation of the province. In 2011, their spending on “Energy Development and Management” added up to $448.2 million (no OEB costs included in that figure).

Post Script 5:15 pm: The OEB reports that its annual reports for F2011/12 and F2012/13 have been provided to the government pursuant to Section 4.9 of the OEB Act but have not yet been tabled in the legislature and therefore cannot be released.

7 Comments

  1. Tom, are you trying to help someone build a case to do away with intervenors ? After all, I understand at least one powerful person may see intervenors as mere nuisances.

  2. Ontario Financing Authority/ OFA, Feb.7, 2014
    Gadi Mayman, CEO
    Information on the planned use of “green” bonds in Ontario to finance projects.
    http://www.ontarioopportunitybonds.ca/aboutofa/ceocorner.htm

    CICERO/Center for International Climate and environmental Research in Oslo.
    CBI/Climate Bonds Initiative.

    Euroweek, Sept.30,2013
    “Framework for Green Bonds”
    White paper setting out a framework for green bonds. First time revealed.
    http://www.euroweek.com/Article/3260887/Framework-for-Green-Bonds.html

  3. The federal government has just added $500 million to the Automotive Innovative Fund.

    Chrysler is reportedly asking Ottawa & QP for about $460 million to help finance $ 2 billion upgrade to its Windsor minivan plant. Source is Windsor Star, Feb.20, 2014.

    Chrysler could move its production to Detroit and save maybe half on electricity costs?

  4. The Star, Feb.26, 2014
    “Ontario’s big industries plead for lower hydro rates”
    Industries pay highest rates in North America.
    http://www.thestar.com/business/2014/02/26/ontarios_big_industries_plead_for_lower_hydro_rates.html

    The Star, Feb.26,2014
    “Hydro One is a million times sorry”
    Hydro One letter says Hydro One installed a new billing system in May. As a result some customers got months of estimated bills, delayed bills, multiple bills or no bills at all.
    http://www.thestar.com/business/2014/02/26/hydro_one_is_a_million_times_sorry.html

    What a way to run a business? Who installed this new billing system, Hydro One or an outside contractor?

  5. U.S. Department of Energy, Sept.24, 2007

    “First Feed-In Law Prepared in Michigan”

    Allows profitable development in less windy areas such as in Michigan.
    http:apps1.eere.energy.gov/states/news_detail.cfm/laws_id=11316

    Just pass laws so that IWTs will pay in low wind areas. No problem.

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