Ontario’s Power Trip: Discounts and Windmills (National Post Column, June 28, 2012 print edition)

Here is my column from the National Post newspaper addressing Ontario’s industrial power discounts. While selling at fixed low prices to preferred large industrial consumers, the McGuinty government continues to buy even more absurdly expensive power. The result of this folly is that rate increases for ordinary consumers will accelerate. Brief mention is included near the …

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Caterpillar’s Decision to Move Production Out of Ontario: Notes on Relative Electricity Costs and Cost Trends

Analysis of reasons behind the announcement last week that heavy equipment maker Caterpillar Inc. would close its Electro-Motive plant in London, Ont., a month after it locked out about 450 workers, has focused on labour cost. Electricity costs might also be a factor influencing Caterpillar’s decision.