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Countryside Energy Co-operative applauds Green Energy Act - Environmental Communication Options/Huff Strategy

Countryside Energy Co-operative applauds Green Energy Act

Feb 24th, 2009 6:56 AM

Media Release Countryside Energy Co-operative applauds Green Energy Act (Milverton, Feb. 24, 2009) Countryside Energy Co-operative applauds the introduction of the Green Energy Act tabled yesterday in the Ontario Legislature. Particularly welcome is the amendment of the Co-operative Corporation Act that would allow for the establishment of renewable energy co-operatives. "This is good news for our members who want to do their part in mitigating adverse climate change and eliminating the summer smog that is affecting the health of their families and neighbours," said Doug Fyfe, general manager. "This amendment will permit energy co-operative to sell the energy they produce to others, rather than just to their own members, as is currently required." Provisions in the Green Energy Act that would make it mandatory for transmitters and distributors to give priority access to their systems to renewable energy generation also encourages Fyfe. Countryside Energy's plans, in collaboration with the Toronto Renewable Energy Co-operative and the Windshare Co-operative, to build the first large scale community-owned windfarm in Ontario are currently held up because it is located in the "orange zone" where grid capacity has been severely restricted. "Access to the grid is absolutely essential if people are to be encouraged to invest in renewables," said Fyfe. "Nobody wants to produce energy that cannot be sold for a fair and reasonable profit. Investors need the assurance that their energy will get to market. Giving renewables priority access is a major step that will advance green energy. " The Countryside Energy Co-operative is a member of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, one of the founders of the Green Energy Act Alliance, which has been campaigning for a green energy act for the last six months. - 30 - For more information, call: Doug Fyfe, Countryside Energy Co-operative Inc 519-595-3999 doug_fyfe@countrysideenergyco-op.ca Jane Story, Policy and Communications, Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, 416-977-2157, ex. 222