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Wynne defends move to put cost of cap-and-trade in delivery line on bills
TORONTO – Premier Kathleen Wynne is defending the decision to bury the cost of Ontario’s cap-and-trade plan in the “delivery” line on natural gas bills.
The Ontario Energy Board announced last week that costs related to the Liberals’ climate change plan would not appear in a separate line item on consumers’ bills for natural gas, which is used to heat most homes in the province.
Wynne said Thursday that the government doesn’t interfere with decisions made by an arms-length agency like the energy board, which she pointed out consulted the industry and public before issuing its directive on carbon pricing.
“My understanding is they talked with local distribution companies, they talked to consumer groups across the province, and as you know, they are an independent body,” she said. “They made a decision to configure the bills that way and we don’t direct the OEB.”
READ MORE: Ontario consumers won’t see cost of cap-and-trade plan on natural gas bills
Quebec and British Columbia include the cost of carbon pricing as a separate line item on bills.
But like Wynne, Energy Minister Glen Thibeault insisted it was the energy board’s decision to put the cost of cap and trade in the delivery charge instead of its own line on bills.
“It’s not up to us as the government to tell an arms-length organization what they can and cannot do,” Thibeault said Thursday.
Wynne dismissed critics who say the government has the power to ignore the energy board’s decision and tell utilities to add a line item on natural gas bills.
“They have made this decision independently of government,” she said. “We will continue to be transparent with the people of Ontario about why it’s important to have a climate change action plan, why we need a price on carbon.”
mo
Wynne defends move to put cost of cap-and-trade in delivery line on bills - Toronto | Globalnews.ca
Wynne defends move to put cost of cap-and-trade in delivery line on bills
TORONTO – Premier Kathleen Wynne is defending the decision to bury the cost of Ontario’s cap-and-trade plan in the “delivery” line on natural gas bills.
The Ontario Energy Board announced last week that costs related to the Liberals’ climate change plan would not appear in a separate line item on consumers’ bills for natural gas, which is used to heat most homes in the province.
Wynne said Thursday that the government doesn’t interfere with decisions made by an arms-length agency like the energy board, which she pointed out consulted the industry and public before issuing its directive on carbon pricing.
“My understanding is they talked with local distribution companies, they talked to consumer groups across the province, and as you know, they are an independent body,” she said. “They made a decision to configure the bills that way and we don’t direct the OEB.”
READ MORE: Ontario consumers won’t see cost of cap-and-trade plan on natural gas bills
Quebec and British Columbia include the cost of carbon pricing as a separate line item on bills.
But like Wynne, Energy Minister Glen Thibeault insisted it was the energy board’s decision to put the cost of cap and trade in the delivery charge instead of its own line on bills.
“It’s not up to us as the government to tell an arms-length organization what they can and cannot do,” Thibeault said Thursday.
Wynne dismissed critics who say the government has the power to ignore the energy board’s decision and tell utilities to add a line item on natural gas bills.
“They have made this decision independently of government,” she said. “We will continue to be transparent with the people of Ontario about why it’s important to have a climate change action plan, why we need a price on carbon.”
mo
Wynne defends move to put cost of cap-and-trade in delivery line on bills - Toronto | Globalnews.ca
