Explaining the Electricity Sector in Ontario
◊ Updated March 2, 2019 to add financial details of the failed acquisition ◊ In a news release December 5, 2018, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission announced that it has denied the proposed $6.7 billion acquisition of Avista by Hydro One. “The proposed transaction cannot be said to be consistent with the public interest […]
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The Ontario Electricity sector is ripe for change as the new provincial government seeks to sort out what has been left by their predecessors. Changes are necessary as the industry is somewhat out of sync with its environment. The most obvious issues of excess generation capacity and outdated wholesale electricity market need to be addressed. […]
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The PC government is preparing to repeal the Green Energy Act in Ontario In a news release on Thursday, September 20, 2018 the government announced it has introduced Bill 34, legislation to repeal the Green Energy Act. There is nothing newsworthy in the announcement since there are no investments planned in green energy left following […]
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In Ontario, electricity consumers have a choice of how they pay for their energy. Exercising that choice is a gamble that may wind up costing you dearly. By default most customers will pay for energy in accordance with the Regulated Price Plan (RPP) which is managed by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB). Alternatively, customers may […]
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On August 15, 2018 Ontario Premier Doug Ford proudly unveiled changes to Hydro One’s direction with a six month deadline to trim the executive compensation package. The continued fixation on Hydro One is a disturbing and no doubt intentional distraction from the real job at hand of reducing electricity rates in Ontario. Let’s break it […]
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Ontario’s Wholesale Electricity Market is where billions of dollars of energy sales take place annually. The electricity pricing is managed through a convoluted trading process that does not reflect actual generating costs. Market participants purchase energy below cost but must compensate by paying an additional ‘Global Adjustment’ upon settlement. If you are a small business, […]
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The Progressive Conservative Party under Doug Ford have been moving aggressively to fulfill some of their election promises. To their credit, they are getting things done, however the negative impact of their actions seem to be getting less attention. Let’s have a wake-up call. Removing the CEO and Board of Hydro One Doug Ford referred […]
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As announced July 11, 2018 Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservatives have effectively removed the Hydro One CEO and board of directors. There were no firings. There was no evidence of poor performance or misconduct. To the contrary. All indications are that the executives were doing a good job. CEO Mayo Schmidt retired and […]
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In an article published by the Financial Post on June 29, 2018 “Make Ontario hydro great again by reviving the Common Sense Revolution”, Lawrence Solomon argues the case for the Progressive Conservatives to resume the work started by former premier Mike Harris in the 1990’s known as the “Common Sense Revolution” with Ontario’s electricity industry. […]
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A friend has asked me whether or not Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Ontario actually reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) since there seems to be some chatter that they don’t. If you think that the electricity used to charge the EV battery will produce more emissions than a conventional vehicle – you would be incorrect. In […]
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