Ontario Proposes Affordable Energy Act to Address Rising Demand

The Ontario government has proposed new legislation called the Affordable Energy Act. If passed, this act would introduce the province's first integrated energy plan. The plan aims to coordinate all energy resources, including electricity and natural gas, to maintain affordability. The legislation also emphasizes the use of zero-emissions nuclear energy as the province expands its grid. Additionally, the act supports the expansion of energy efficiency programs and the development of more electric vehicle charging stations.

Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification, stated that the act is designed to address the increasing energy demand in Ontario. The government claims that the act will lay the groundwork for large-scale energy expansion and more affordable homes. The legislation also seeks to reduce the costs associated with connecting electricity infrastructure.

The government has expressed opposition to the federal Carbon Tax, which it describes as punitive. The act is part of a broader strategy outlined in a document titled "Ontario’s Affordable Energy Future: The Pressing Case for More Power," which discusses the challenges of growing energy demand in the province.