OFA provided an agricultural and rural perspective on the Ontario Energy Board (OEB)’s efforts to improve resiliency, responsiveness and cost efficiency in light of extreme weather events.
OFA recommends the OEB:
- consider advising the Minister that, as the tax system imposes rates relative to incomes, government should leverage public funds to defray the costs of resiliency;
- work with the government, the IESO and utilities to establish climate goals for regulators aligned with the province, and work to better integrate with neighbouring electricity systems; and
- work with utilities and the IESO to consider existing rural electricity system deficiencies that are exacerbated by extreme weather events.
OFA recommends decision makers consider incremental improvements to rural energy systems during the transition to an expanded, resilient and clean system.
Related to managing distributor expectations, improving utility transparency and continuous improvement, OFA supports specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely utility reporting.
OFA supports the preservation of Ontario’s finite resources of arable farm land. Canada Land Inventory 1 through 4 should not be used for the expanded development of zero emission generation or systems to enhance and manage supply and demand. OFA recommends the Ministry and regulators prioritize the reuse of decommissioned facility sites, and use of existing brownfield, commercial and industrial lands to site electricity system infrastructure.