QUEEN’S PARK — MPP for Guelph Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to the tabling of new legislation that would reverse a decision by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) to require new home builders to pay for the cost of new natural gas connections upfront.
“By trying to keep taxpayer dollars flowing to fossil fuel giants, the government is costing Ontarians more.
I support the OEB’s decision designed to help Ontarians get off fossil fuels and make the switch to cleaner, cheaper energy alternatives.
It’s a move that would save customers $2 billion over five years – that’s approximately $600 back into the pockets of everyday Ontarians.
The only beneficiary of the government’s meddling decision is Enbridge – a company whose CEO made over $19 million last year.
I call on the government to respect the OEB’s decision, abandon this bad bill and stop using ratepayer dollars to subsidize fossil giants.
We are in a housing crisis and need to build more homes. Part of that means ensuring those homes are set up for the clean energy transition. Otherwise, all we’re doing is sticking homeowners with higher energy bills for decades to come.”