QUEEN’S PARK – It’s time the Ontario Power Authority and Hydro One come clean with project proponents about their applications, PC Energy Critic and Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli said today.
“Businesses across Ontario have anted up six and seven-figure upfront deposits to the OPA and Hydro One as security for their proposals, yet many can’t even get information as to where their projects stand. Were the OPA and Hydro One told NOT to approve any projects, and were they also told NOT to deny any projects?” Fedeli asked.
“This politically-cute stalemate has trapped millions of businesses dollars while the province fumbles and stumbles and it’s hurting job creation and investment in Ontario. Businesses can’t prorogue their bill payments,” added Fedeli.
“This ineptitude does nothing to help get the 600,000 Ontario men and women who woke up without a job this morning back to work.”
The Ontario Power Authority has become notorious for its secrecy and lack of communication with the public, Fedeli noted.
“The OPA has been a $300 million waste of taxpayer dollars and should be scrapped,” Fedeli said.
Hydro One, meanwhile, recently changed its policy regarding for deposits concerning property developments, and is seeking deposits nearly 10 times greater than previous.
“This is a shocking and untenable cost for developers to absorb at start-up,” Fedeli said.
“This is just further proof this government has lost the plot when it comes to energy policy. The Ontario PC party believes affordable energy is the cornerstone of economic growth, and will treat it as such.”
