Evan Wiseman, The Atmospheric Fund (TAF): Strength and Weaknesses of the Federal Clean Electricity Regulation and its Implications for Ontario Municipalities
(pdf presentation) (meeting recording; presentation starts 41.3 )

• 2022 Carbon Emissions Inventory: TAF publishes an annual carbon emissions inventory for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area, detailing sources and trends of carbon emissions in the region. The most recent inventory reveals concerning findings. Carbon emissions in the GTHA have risen by 8% over the last year, with emissions from electricity surging by 26%. This significant increase in electricity emissions is due to existing gas plants running more often - in the absence of investing in alternative, clean electricity sources, gas plants aren't being limited to peak demand periods. This signals a troubling direction in our energy landscape. The data underscores the need to stop any procurement of new fossil fuel infrastructure and accelerate the phaseout of existing fossil fuels without delay.
• Clean Electricity Regulations (CER): CER is a federal initiative aimed at achieving a net-zero electricity sector by 2035 while maintaining electricity affordability and grid reliability. CER aims to regulate the emissions of CO2 from electricity-generating units and imposes thresholds that must be met. Some challenges and potential compromises facing the CER are the risk of stranded assets and increased economic burdens for energy consumers.

Key Takeaways:

• The initial draft of the CER was strong and would have effectively reversed the trend in growing gas emissions in Ontario.
• An interim update to the CER had ECCC asking for feedback on potential changes.
• Of these changes the most important one to hold the line on is End of Prescribed Life and not allowing for any more weakening in the CER.
• The key is for the Federal Government to hear that Ontarians support gas plant phaseout and a cleaner electricity grid in Ontario.
• Request for Supporting Municipal Resolution: Municipalities play a critical role in driving climate action at the local level. Therefore, they need to advocate for a strong and ambitious CER to accelerate the transition to clean energy sources and mitigate the impacts of climate change. By supporting the CER, municipalities can contribute to building a more sustainable and resilient energy future for Ontario and beyond.
• City of Toronto submission - https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-239852.pdf
• TAF submission - https://taf.ca/custom/uploads/2024/03/TAF-Comments-Clean-Electricity-Regulations-Update.pdf