THUNDER BAY – “Dalton McGuinty’s crass attempt to kill two birds with one stone by cutting Hydro bills by 10% and calling it the ‘Ontario Clean Energy Benefit’ makes it clear that his Liberal government is following the leaked Sussex Strategy document plan to ‘confuse’ the issue of cost of renewable energy projects in Ontario,” according to John Laforet, President of Wind Concerns Ontario.
“Instead of scaling back multi billion dollar investments in ineffective, unreliable and unwanted industrial wind turbine projects to permanently cut hydro bills and the deficit, the government is instead doubling down, adding one billion dollars a year to Ontario’s debt annually, in an attempt to paper over this shameful record,” add Laforet.
“What’s clear is the government and industry are desperate to change the channel on the true cost of the multi-billion dollar investments in expensive and unreliable wind power have had on hydro bills and is following political advice by Sussex Strategy to try to ‘confuse’ the cost of renewable energy for voters.” Laforet, said referencing the leaked document that called on Wind Industry partners and governments to ‘confuse’ voters on the costs of renewable energy.
“Hydro bills have risen 75% in the seven years since Dalton McGuinty became Premier. According to Sussex Strategy’s leaked wind industry document hydro bills expected by the renewable industry and government insiders to rise another 39% by 2012. Hydro One alone will cause every Ontarians electricity bill to rise by over 12% by 2012 directly as a result of Green Energy Act related grid upgrade expenses approved by the Ontario Energy Board in August 2010,” added Laforet.
“Dalton McGuinty, Liberal Strategists, and Wind Industry Lobbyists low opinion of voters has them failing to recognize that voters won’t be ‘confused’ into thinking massive investments in wind and other renewable energy aren’t the cause of painful rate increases, totaling 75% since McGuinty came to power.” Laforet continued. “The message has already gotten through to voters that Dalton McGuinty’s pet projects mean more to him than the well being of Ontario families. Wind Concerns Ontario will continue driving that message home to folks across this province. The ‘Ontario Clean Energy Benefit’ won’t stem the anger, solve the problem or spare the Liberals in 2011.”
Wind Concerns Ontario represents fifty-three grassroots community organizations in over thirty one counties across Ontario that oppose irresponsible wind energy development and have vowed to target vulnerable MPPs on this issue in the 2011 provincial election.
Sussex Group Renewable Energy Matters Campaign Outline 18 October 20101
