Toronto - In 20 years, Ontario drivers could be using 25 per cent less fuel than today, saving the province money and reducing environmental damage, according to a new report by the Pembina Institute.The report, Bridging the Gulf, highlights the connection between the choices made by commuters in Ontario, and the negative impacts of oil extraction in North America in light of the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and ongoing ecological impacts from oil sands development. It focuses exclusively on personal transportation -- how Ontarians get around every day -- and presents five key actions to reduce oil consumption based on policy changes that are already underway in the province."Ontario is in an excellent position -- possibly ... continue reading.

Whitby, ON -- The Green Energy Act Alliance, a diverse coalition of Ontario groups committed to furthering green power, celebrated today as the McGuinty government announced nearly 2,500 megawatts (MW) of new renewable energy projects. The news was the latest in a series of announcements related to the new feed-in-tariff program (FIT), which guarantees a stable price for renewable energy. "With this announcement, Ontario has flicked the switch on a new era of green energy prosperity," said Dr. Rick Smith, Executive Director, Environmental Defence, a member of the Green Energy Act Alliance. "This occasion is potentially as significant for Ontario's economic prosperity as the signing of the Auto Pact in 1965. The provincial government has served notice today that the new ... continue reading.

Toronto - Ontario's Environment Commissioner, Gord Miller, wants to learn more about the barriers and incentives you've experienced when conserving energy in Ontario. He's created a new website for Ontarians to report their pleasure or frustration with energy conservation initiatives.The  Green Energy and Green Economy Act, passed in spring 2009, mandates the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario to produce an annual report on progress of activities in Ontario to reduce the use or make more efficient use of electricity, natural gas, propane, oil and transportation fuels.This includes:Describing results of initiatives to reduce or make more efficient use of the prescribed fuelsDescribing progress in meeting government-established targets for the prescribed fuelsIdentifying barriers to implementation of conservation and efficiency of the prescribed fuels, ... continue reading.

Toronto - Companies that supply and install renewable energy technologies can now apply to offer their goods and services to Ontario school boards and social housing providers.The Ontario Power Authority announced today the launch of a website where service providersand suppliers of five renewable energy technologies (solar air, solar water, geothermal, solarphotovoltaic and small wind) can apply to be included on a vendor list. The website is availableat retvendorlist.powerauthority.on.ca. The deadline to apply to be included on a vendor list is March 26, 2010.Website applications will be used to create a list of vendors of renewable energy technologiesthat have met certain eligibility criteria. This list, expected to be available in April, will be used by school boards and social housing ... continue reading.

AIR MILES Call Centre features largest rooftop solar panel installation in Canada. TORONTO (DECEMBER 9, 2009) — LoyaltyOne, operators of the AIR MILES Reward Program, celebrated the official opening of a new customer call centre yesterday which has been built towards silver and gold LEED certification and features the largest rooftop solar panel installation in Canada. Marking the building opening with the LoyaltyOne team and alongside 150 AIR MILES customer care centre associates were Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and MPP Ottawa-Orléans, Phil McNeely; the Honourable Mayor Hazel McCallion; and Mississauga City Councillor, George Carlson. Also in attendance were representatives from the Ontario solar industry, and other environmental leaders who helped commemorate this state-of-the-art facility at ... continue reading.

thegreenpages.ca network caught up with Jack Gibbons, Chair, Ontario Clean Air Alliance. What is Ontario's Green Future and how did it come about? Ontario's Green Future is the vision of the Ontario Clean Air Alliance.  We are working to ensure that 100% of Ontario's need for grid-supplied electricity can be provided by renewable energy by 2027. We began promoting Ontario's Green Future in 2008 as an alternative to the McGuinty Government's plan to expand our nuclear generation capacity by 23% by 2027. What are your latest and greatest highlights and achievements so far?  Any particular stories you would like to share? In the first half of 2009 with the help of 20 volunteers we canvassed virtually every home in former ... continue reading.

Thunder Bay, ON - The Conserve the Light conference, which started today at the Valhalla Hotel, has attracted over 200 First Nations leaders, community representatives and Métis to Thunder Bay from across Ontario.This conference is part of the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Measures for Aboriginal Communities (EEMAC) program developed by Charles Fox Consulting Inc. (Thunder Bay) and funded by the Ontario Power Authority. The main goal of the program was to introduce and implement energy efficiency and conservation measures throughout all 134 First Nations communities in Ontario. This program consisted of four main components: the Conserve the Light Gathering conference, Education and Awareness, Energy Conservation Kits, and the Energy Retrofit Pilot.For the past two days, First Nation Elders who follow ... continue reading.

Burlington ON – Your life could be a little ‘greener’ on a day-to-day basis come May 1 and not just as a result of April showers. The latest event in Burlington Mall’s ‘ecoHero’ program puts the spotlight on energy conservation and offers a chance to win an Energy Star appliance package valued at $2500 if you enter the Mall’s Energy ecoHero event by April 30. “Burlington Mall is offering these prizes to show customers that even when purchasing electrical appliances they have choices that are better for the environment,” said Kim LaRonde, Director of Marketing, Burlington Mall. “We want people to realize that they can be ‘ecoHeros' by making a conscious choice to do ‘one simple thing’ to live in ... continue reading.

Minister Smitherman Helps Celebrate Milestone in Renewable Generation for Ontario Kincardine, Ontario, April 3, 2009 – Today, Enbridge Inc. officially opened the 115-turbine Enbridge Ontario Wind Power project in the Kincardine area, which is capable of producing up to 190 megawatts (MW) of renewable electricity. A ceremony held in Kincardine to mark this milestone was attended by The Honourable George Smitherman, Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Carol Mitchell, MPP for Huron-Bruce, Kincardine Mayor Larry Kraemer and other dignitaries. “The Kincardine community and the province of Ontario are leading the way in their support of wind and emerging clean energy technologies and Enbridge is pleased to contribute to advancing our shared goals through our own green and ... continue reading.

There is still time to voice your opinion on Ontario's Green Energy and Green Economy Act, which was recently tabled at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. To view full details about the act, visit Ontario Bill 150.The proposal has also been posted for a 30 day public review and comment period, starting on February 24, 2009. Visit the Ontario Environmental Registry and submit your comments for this important legislation.  The deadline for submissions to the Ontario Environmental Registry is March 26, 2009. You can also sign the Green Energy Act petition of support here.From the Green Energy Act Alliance website:The proposed Green Energy Act is a bold series of coordinated actions to enhance economic activity and reduce our impact on ... continue reading.