Rethinking Energy Conservation in Ontario – Results:Council of the Federation Energy Efficiency Target

In November, 2010, the ECO released volume 2 of its Annual Report on the progress of activities in Ontario to reduce or make more efficient use of electricity, natural gas, propane, oil and transportation fuels. Click here for more information on this report, including videos and communications materials.
Executive Summary Introduction Conservation Program Evaluation	Government-Established Targets Council of the Federation Energy Efficiency Target Province-Wide Electricity Conservation Targets Targets for Smart Meters and Time-of-Use Electricity Prices Electricity Conservation Targets in Ontario Government Operations Transportation Fuels Standards Electric Vehicle Goal Education Sector Conservation Benchmarking	Progress on Selected Initiatives Ontario Power Authority Demand Response Programs Natural Gas Utility Conservation Programs MicroFIT Home Energy Savings Program (HESP) Ontario Solar Thermal Heating Incentive (OSTHI) Municipal Eco Challenge Fund (MECF) The OPS Green Transformation Strategy Green Commercial Vehicle Program

Ontario, as a member of the Council of the Federation (COF), an association of all Canadian provinces and territories, committed to a conservation target that stresses energy efficiency improvements. In July 2008, at the fifth COF meeting, premiers committed to achieving a 20 per cent increase in energy efficiency by 2020. They agreed on a five-point plan for achieving the goal that included action on building codes, expanding the number of appliances and equipment covered by efficiency performance standards, adopting green building policies when governments make capital investments in facilities, and giving homeowners access to home audits and assisting retrofits.

Immediately following the COF gathering, the Premier tasked the Energy Minister with leading implementation of the fivepoint plan in co-operation with the ministers responsible for housing, environment and research.

Results

Although energy efficiency gains are being realized through stock turnover of appliances and equipment, stricter building codes and conservation initiatives like home retrofits, there is little identified progress in meeting this target. The issue of whether progress will be measured is not decided. Ministry of Energy officials advised the ECO that provincial officials have not agreed on methodological issues required to measure progress, such as the target’s baseline year, sectors to which it would apply and the type of target (e.g., absolute or intensity based).