Ontario Chamber Advocates for a More Flexible Industrial Electricity Program

(Toronto, June 26, 2020) – Today, Rocco Rossi, President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) released the following statement in response to the announcement on the Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI) made by the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines this afternoon.

“Ontario’s economy is intricately linked to the prosperity of the energy sector, and the OCC appreciates the support the Government of Ontario has given to industrial and commercial electricity consumers to date.

“While the OCC has advocated for a temporary freeze to the ICI program in the context of COVID-19, we have repeatedly emphasized that this should be optional – not mandatory – for Class A customers.

“Optionality is fundamental to ensure this program is successful. The ICI Peak Hiatus should give businesses the flexibility to focus on productivity and economic recovery, given that the electricity system would not benefit from reductions in peak demand at this time. However, a mandatory freeze would distort investment decisions for customers that have invested in innovative behind-the-meter solutions such as energy storage, and set back a sector with growing economic potential. Governments must take into consideration the impacts of regulatory changes on innovation and investment.

“We are eager to work with government to mitigate impacts on Class A customers who may be adversely affected by these measures.”

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been the independent, non-partisan, indispensable partner of Ontario business. The OCC’s mission is to support economic growth in Ontario by defending business priorities at Queen’s Park on behalf of its network’s diverse 60,000 members.

For more information, please contact:
Ceara Copps – Edwards, Manager, Public Affairs, Ontario Chamber of Commerce at cearacoppsedwards@occ.ca or 647-936-6734