Ontario Votes as the Green Energy Act Benefits Schools and the Province

As people in Ontario vote in provincial elections, the top two contenders are in a tight race. The governing Liberals under Premier Dalton McGuinty will need to lose 17 or more seats in order to lose their majority.

Due to his campaign’s lack of vision, the PC hopeful, Tim Hudak, lost his massive lead in the polls. Hudak pledged to reverse the Liberal’s investments in the green economy.

The provincial Liberal’s Green Energy Act is “good for consumers, good for business and good for workers,” says John Podesta, the ex-chief of staff for former President Bill Clinton. He also warned Canadians about the fear and misinformation campaigns from entrenched interests in the old energy economy.

School buildings are amongst the many beneficiaries of the the Green Energy Act. “Our government’s landmark renewable energy strategy is allowing municipalities, utilities and local businesses, as well as schools, including colleges and universities, to install solar panels, which benefits the environment, reduces pressure on the electricity grid and creates longer-term revenue,” said David Orazietti, MPP on July 13, “With approximately $1 billion in alternative energy investments in the Sault and area in recent years, and solar panels made here in our city used in this local project, we should all be concerned about political parties in Ontario, who if elected, would cost Sault Ste. Marie hundreds of high-quality jobs.”

The solar panels being installed on the roof of Algoma University’s George Leach Centre is an example of state supported renewable energy investment. The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) provided $50,000 for the project, which is expected to create 159 KWH of power and generate annual revenues of $127,000 a year that will be shared between the University and the Sault Ste. Marie PUC.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.