Mark WinfieldMark Winfield

York University York University

July 2014July 2014

The Politics of Energy The Politics of Energy Conservation in Conservation in

Ontario Ontario

CDM and the 2014 Election CDM and the 2014 Election

Politics of CDM Politics of CDM

Largely off the capital “P” political Largely off the capital “P” political radar screenradar screen

Focus on TOU/Smart MetersFocus on TOU/Smart Meters– ““Tax machines”Tax machines”

Attention overwhelmed by other Attention overwhelmed by other electricity issueselectricity issues– Gas plantsGas plants– Nuclear costsNuclear costs– Wind turbine social conflictsWind turbine social conflicts

Politics of CDM Politics of CDM

Wynne Wynne shift in shift in direction direction from from renewablerenewables to CDM s to CDM

CDM Barriers in Ontario CDM Barriers in Ontario

History of comparative advantage History of comparative advantage based on cheap electricity based on cheap electricity – Little real CDM effort until last decadeLittle real CDM effort until last decade

Uncertainty about provincial Uncertainty about provincial commitmentcommitment

Institutional fragmentation Institutional fragmentation Technical and economic barriersTechnical and economic barriers

– TRCTRC– Revenue impacts Revenue impacts

Conservation First (March Conservation First (March 2014)2014)

Numeric targets, province-wide (OPA) Numeric targets, province-wide (OPA) and for LDCs (determined by OPA)and for LDCs (determined by OPA)– 5% or 7 billion kWH less than 2014 5% or 7 billion kWH less than 2014

consumption by 2020. consumption by 2020.

OPA as regulator of LCD effortsOPA as regulator of LCD efforts– Implications of greater flexibility, not no Implications of greater flexibility, not no

clear indication LDCs can develop and clear indication LDCs can develop and implement own strategies. implement own strategies.

Conservation FirstConservation First

Enforcement mechanisms unclear Enforcement mechanisms unclear

Still not pursuing all cost effective Still not pursuing all cost effective conservation conservation

Still no clear commitment on upgrading Still no clear commitment on upgrading standards and codesstandards and codes

Role of conservation in environment of Role of conservation in environment of falling demand? falling demand?

Winfield et.al. 2013

Falling demand and its Falling demand and its ImplicationsImplications