<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place" downloadurl="http://www.5iantlavalamp.com/"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State" downloadurl="http://www.5iamas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"/>  <style>  </style>  </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> <img width=322 height=41 id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image001.jpg@01C68FCE.23D897F0"><o:p></o:p> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State style="BACKGROUND-POSITION: left bottom; BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(res://ietag.dll/#34/#1001); BACKGROUND-REPEAT: repeat-x" tabIndex="0" w:st="on">Ontario</st1:State></st1:place>’s Conservation Movement<o:p></o:p> To subscribe or unsubscribe to this listserve, go to <a href="http://www.weconserve.ca/" title="http://www.weconserve.ca/">www.weconserve.ca</a><o:p></o:p> (see the online version at <a href="http://weconserve.ca/articles/?p=22">http://weconserve.ca/articles/?p=22</a>)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <h2>$6 billion for Conservation – Lets Make a Deal!<o:p></o:p></h2> <st1:State w:st="on">Ontario</st1:State> has opted for <a href="http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=english.news&body=yes&news_id=134" target="_blank">a nuclear future</a>, directing the <a href="http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/" target="_blank">Ontario Power Authority</a> (OPA) to meet <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Ontario</st1:State></st1:place>’s base load of 14,000 megawatts (MW) with nuclear power and to develop a revised schedule for phasing out coal power.  In effect, the government has rejected the <a href="http://pembina.org/newsitem.asp?newsid=203&section=" target="_blank">conservation and green power path</a> proposed by the World Wildlife Fund, Pembina Institute, Suzuki Foundation, Greenpeace and others.<o:p></o:p> If there is a bright side, it is that the government has also doubled the conservation targets suggested by the OPA, to a new total of 6,300 megawatts by 2025.  The OPA, and hence the Conservation Bureau, has to define programs and actions which aim to reduce projected peak demand by 1,350MW by 2010, and by an additional 3,600 MW by 2025.  These reductions are on top of the existing 1,350 MW target for 2007. <o:p></o:p> Looks good on paper, and it adds up to a $6 billion commitment to conservation.  However, if <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ontario</st1:place></st1:State>’s NGOs and community groups are still required to fundraise and work on conservation on a project-by-project basis, then we are in deep trouble.<o:p></o:p> I’m proposing a new approach:  we need to cut our own deal for the voluntary sector, based in measurable reductions in personal electricity consumption.<o:p></o:p> If a kilowatt (KW) of conservation is worth $1,000 (the Ministry of Energy’s figures), then I believe every community group and membership-based organization in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ontario</st1:place></st1:State> should be eligible to receive a bounty for the conservation commitments we are able to raise.  One KW of base load power running for 24 hours and 30 days equals 720 KWh a month.  So, if a group convinces ten of its members to each reduce their monthly demand by 72 KWh, then it has generated a conservation credit of $1,000.<o:p></o:p> Shouldn’t it be entitled to at least 50% of that amount?<o:p></o:p> There are nuances abounding in the calculation of a fair price, including multiple messaging and the cost of incentive programs, but as with the Standard Offer Contract for renewable power, in the end I believe we will settle on a negotiated price, or bounty, for conservation.  And then, every group out there from Reduce the Juice and Project Porchlight to the Guides, Scouts, and school groups will be able to raise funds through conservation.<o:p></o:p> And when that happens, this conservation movement will take flight!<o:p></o:p> In my next posting, I will introduce you to our newest campaign, which is how we can engage people in electricity conservation, and measure the results!<o:p></o:p> Please post your comments! <o:p></o:p> Chris Winter<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <a href="http://www.weconserve.ca/">weconserve.ca</a><o:p></o:p> <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ontario</st1:place></st1:State>'s Conservation Movement<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> </div> </body> </html>