Ottawa, ON, Oct. 26, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ontario’s Long-Term Energy Plan (LTEP) says it is delivering fairness and choice – then it must look at including propane in its plans.
The Canadian Propane Association (CPA) is expecting that Ontario’s LTEP includes propane as part of its plans for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and providing low cost energy to consumers. The CPA calls on both provincial and municipal government officials to work with the propane industry to harness low-emission propane as an affordable, clean energy solution.
“We’re disappointed that currently Ontario has not included propane. The LTEP must translate into choice for consumers,” says Nathalie St-Pierre, CPA President and CEO. “We feel that to-date, rural and remote communities have been ignored and the Ontario government must include programs that can respond to their needs. Choice for consumers includes energy solutions that can immediately provide emission reductions and offer low cost fuels: propane is a safe and reliable solution than can reduce emissions immediately. It is a readily affordable, low cost alternative with no infrastructure or government funding required.”
It is essential that propane is a part of energy planning discussions. The propane industry provides compelling energy solutions for rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. “A large percentage of homeowners still use oil. Every 1000 homes that upgrade appliances and convert from heating oil to propane will have the equivalent annual greenhouse gas reduction impact equivalent to removing 661 cars from the road,” says St-Pierre.
For many non-urban Ontario residents, propane is the energy option that best meets their economic and environmental needs.
Propane can play a significant role in moving Indigenous and remote communities off traditional fuels like diesel and heating oil. Using propane, they would experience cleaner air and less noise pollution; fewer blackouts and supply issues, and no fuel spills. Once other renewable sources become available, propane can be a back-up energy source to ensure reliability.
While the LTEP touches on the expansion of natural gas service, via taxpayer-funded infrastructure spending, the CPA renews its call for any such funding to be energy neutral. St-Pierre says that “the best energy funding model would allow consumers and municipalities to choose the energy solution that works best for them. Since nobody knows exactly what energy markets will look like in 40 years’ time, policy makers must ask themselves: Does it make sense to invest many millions in infrastructure that has an uncertain future and risks stranded assets? As we move to a low-carbon economy, investment in propane makes sense.”
Propane is a ready-to-go solution for some of the major energy and environmental challenges facing Ontario. With wise policy direction and limited additional spending, propane can be a gamechanger and provide significant advancements for households and automotive fleet operators through reduced emissions, lower costs, and improved efficiency.
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About the Canadian Propane Association
With over 400 members, the Canadian Propane Association is the national association for a growing, multi-billion-dollar industry that impacts the livelihood of tens of thousands of Canadians. The CPA develops and produces industry training materials, offers emergency response assistance plans to its members and provides advocacy services for the propane industry.
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