WWF Applauds Changes to Ontario Green Energy Plan

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 22, 2012) - WWF welcomes the improvements to Ontario's renewable energy plan announced today by the provincial government. These changes, informed by the Feed-in-Tariff Program (FIT) review, will increase Ontario's renewable energy ambition and greatly increase community and municipal involvement.

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"Ontario's energy transition has been the most significant single carbon emissions reduction program in North America. Ending our dependence on coal is one of the significant actions that a province can take to address climate change. Renewable energy success will require the support of communities, which the Ontario Government has recognized and begun to address."

- Josh Laughren, Climate & Energy Director, WWF-Canada

Ontario's Green Energy Program

Significant changes to Ontario's green energy program include:

--  Providing greater opportunity for Aboriginal and community ownership of,
    and benefits from, local wind and solar projects 
--  Deepening engagement with municipalities by mandating that any new
    project proponent must first meet with all key stakeholders at the very
    launch of the project 
--  Working with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) to
    revise on how municipalities are consulted 
--  Strengthening renewable energy targets, moving up their target date of
    10,700 MW of renewable energy from 2018 to 2015 
--  Lowering prices of wind and solar (by 15 and 20 per cent, respectively),
    bringing Ontario in line with the now-lower cost of renewable energy
    around the world

Ontario's renewable energy plan is the first of its kind in North America, modeled after successes globally in implementing the FIT program. Renewable energy is the most environmentally friendly type of energy available today, and must happen in conjunction with major energy efficiency and conservation efforts. WWF-Canada participated in a joint submission to the FIT review. The submission can be downloaded here (http://environmentaldefence.ca/sites/default/files/report_files/FIT%20Review%20Joint%20Submission%20-%20REVISED%20Feb2012.pdf).

About WWF

WWF is creating solutions to the most serious conservation challenges facing our planet, helping people and nature thrive. www.wwf.ca