McMillan’s Mike Richmond Says The Most Recent Version of the Long-Term Energy Plan is More Political in Nature

McMillan’s Mike Richmond Says The Most Recent Version of the Long-Term Energy Plan is More Political in Nature

According to the Law Times, for the energy sector in the province, there is uncertainty again about whether or not the government’s long-term plans will meet infrastructure needs that emerge from political promises.

Last fall, the governing Liberals unveiled a revised Long-Term Energy Plan (LTEP) that was originally introduced in 2010 and revised in 2013. The plan was billed as a 20-year road map for the energy sector and highlighted the phasing out of coal-fired electricity generation as well as significant cuts to consumer electricity rates.

It included promises to refurbish 10 of the province’s 18 nuclear generation facilities by 2033. In the short term, it projected adequate electricity supply but potential shortfalls beginning in the early to mid-2020s.  The plan also predicts a sharp increase in the use of electric cars, with as many as 2.4 million of this type of vehicle on the road by 2035. As well, there is a directive for an increased role for Indigenous peoples in future energy projects.

McMillan’s Mike Richmond, co-chair of the energy and power group, spoke to the Law Times and says that the most recent version of the LTEP is more political in nature and the reduced focus on infrastructure is because the province is overbuilt now.

“There has been massive construction in the energy sector for the past 13 or 14 years. You have what you built,” Richmond says.

Another change is delegating more responsibilities to the Ontario Energy Board and the Independent Electricity System Operator to administer the goals set out in the plan.

“They are not directing the result. It is not build 100,000 solar roofs at any cost,” says Richmond in reference to the policy of the provincial Liberal government in 2007. “They are letting regulators come up with the implementation.”

To read Mike Richmond’s full response in the Law Times article “Provincial election means energy sector uncertainty” click here.