Solar One brings former Ontario Minister of Energy to Albany to address legislators about the province’s new renewable energy Feed-In Tariff policy

On Tuesday afternoon Solar One organized a special presentation at the NYS legislative office building in Albany by George Smitherman, Ontario’s former Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, on the subject of the province’s new Green Energy Act (GEA).

The GEA comprises a number of separate policies that collectively aim to support and expand economic investment in clean and renewable sources of energy for the purpose of building a stronger economy, combating climate change and ensuring a healthier future for generations to come. The province has estimated that the act will generate 50,000 direct and indirect jobs over the next three years, while establishing Ontario as a leading global destination for clean energy investment. The GEA also makes Ontario the first government in North America to legislate the phased elimination of all domestic coal-based generation (by the end of 2014).

Many of the GEA’s market support objectives for renewable energy will be accomplished via the province’s newly implemented feed-in tariff (aka Renewable Energy Payment) program. The FIT approach enables clean power producers using different technologies to sell the power that they generate in long-term contracts at differentiated rates that ensure fair and predictable returns. Now implemented in over 50 countries worldwide, the feed-in tariff approach has been responsible for the majority of global clean energy development over the past decade.

As New York continues to debate the future shape of its long-term renewable energy strategy, Mr. Smitherman’s visit created a powerful opportunity for legislators to learn and ask questions about our regional neighbor’s ambitious approach directly from an individual who was central to its realization.


Posted on Thursday, May 27th, 2010 at 11:45 am | Tagged in Solar One | posted by SolarOne

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