April 6, 2010
The Editors,
The Toronto Star
1 Yonge St.
Toronto, Ontario
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: the critique of the impact of the Green Energy Act Feed in Tariff (FIT) system on electricity costs in Ontario ("Rush to renewables could increase costs" April 6, 2010). The crucial question with respect to the cost impact of the Green Energy Act FIT system is its cost relative to the alternatives for new supply. We know, for example, that the electricity cost for new build nuclear came out at about 20 cents/kwh. In that context, a 14 cent per kwh FIT for wind doesn't look so bad. Virtually all of the new supply options (with the exception of conservation) come in at higher costs than the current electricity price, which is artificially subsidized in a number of different ways, with the result that it may not be the best benchmark against which to measure options for new supply.Sincerely,Mark S. Winfield, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Coordinator Joint MES/JD Program
Faculty of Environmental Studies
York University
4700 Keele St.
Toronto, Ontario
M3J 1P3
Tel: 416-736-2100 ext. 21078
Fax: 416-736-5679