Current Affairs: Perspectives on Electricity Policy for Ontario

Electricity in Ontario has historically been generated from hydroelectriciy, coal, and nuclear power. Amidst aging infrastructure and diminishing capacity combined with escalating demand, Ontario’s electricity policy must contend with growing concerns about air pollutants, global warming, and the environmental impacts of fossil fuel production. Sources of hydroelectric power in the province are limited, while nuclear power is expensive and raises safety concerns. In turn, green energy is also costly and in some cases intermittent. As a result, Ontario’s electricity policy requires careful balancing of environmental goals and values against costs that must be borne by consumers and taxpayers.

Current Affairs brings together the views of a number of international experts on electricity and environment along with commentators familiar with Ontario’s situation to begin a discussion of these issues. The contributors suggest that in Ontario, as in other jurisdictions, solid environmental policy must be married with thoughtful information programs and regulations to encourage the behavioural and institutional changes that will lead the region to a sustainable electricity future.