Community Power

Community Power is a concerted effort to ensure that a portion of renewable power generating capacity will be owned by the citizens of Ontario. Community Power has wide support amongst all provincial parties. Energy Minster, the Hon. Brad Duguid spoke at the Community Power Conference in 2010 where he announced financial support for a number of Community Power Initiatives.

Sustainable development said we could continue to grow but we must do it in a way that would not degrade the environment in the long-term or compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Community Power can help ensure that hydro developments produce the maximun net benefit to society. Private electricity generation may have a negative impact on future generations because the public will guarantee that developers earn significant profits for the next 40 years.

Community Power could be recognized in future releases of crown land. To help ensure sustainability public land should be assessed for its other values (social, economic, tourism, cultural, recreation and heritage) before being released as a potential electricity generation site. If public land is deemed appropriate for generation then it could first be offered to the local municipality, second to a nonprofit community generator, third to a publicly owned generator before being allowed to go private.

Please send your contact information to renewable.mnr@ontario.ca if you wish to be informed of future postings on the Environmental Registry (EBR) related to the waterpower and windpower site release review.

ENERGY IS VERY LUCRATIVE because of the FiT program. The public has a lot invested in renewables.

Community Power offers an alternative so that public interests do not have to compete with private interests for use of public resources.

Green, Secure and Accessible

A campaign for the future of Ontario’s electricity

"Public and community renewable power generation should play a leading role in creating a green energy economy in Ontario. Municipalities, local electricity utilities, First Nations, individuals and community-oriented non-profit co-operatives offer opportunities for public and community ownership and control that the Ontario government can invest in. There are many benefits of this model including possibilities for focusing on sustainable local generation for local consumption, reinvesting surplus income in local improvements rather than corporate profits and better accountability to communities. It mitigates the risks of trade rules allowing regulatory measures for fair pricing, meeting conservation targets and supply demands in Ontario." -the Council of Canadians

Muskoka Community Energy

There is an alternative