What lessons can be learned from Ontario ending Coal?
There are many arguments the oil and gas sector put forward about the difficulties of transitioning to net zero emissions. Twenty-four years ago, Ontario ended its reliance on coal—the first jurisdiction to do so.
Like the acid rain campaign [insert website link from website], the end coal campaign had a clear cause and effect that could be ‘seen’ and ‘tasted’ by people. The sky looked wrong; the air tasted toxic; the atmosphere smelled heavy. New York was criticizing Ontario for the spread of smog south of the border.
And in 1998, the Ontario Medical Association weighed in on the issue, championing clean air characterizing smog as a “serious health risk to the people of Ontario.” In their report, they stated that smog was costing the provincial heath care system $1 billion per year, 1,900 premature deaths, and countless others suffering from respiratory illnesses. LESSON One.
Next, other NGO leaders connected the smog health crisis to energy policy, and in late 1990s, the Ontario Clean Air Alliance which started as a coalition of seven separate organizations grew to ninety organizations working together to manifest a coal-free future. There was also a strong political willingness—across all parties—to achieve the same impossible goal. LESSON Two.
Other political leaders picked up the baton, namely Mississauga mayor Hazel MCCallion, putting the responsibility squarely on the provincial government, picked up be Environment Minister Witmer. Despite concerns about the economic impacts of shuttering a major source of energy, from job loss to disrupting business (SOUND FAMILIAR), a regulation that pledged to phase out coal by 2015 was passed. And in the 2003 election, all three parties made a pledge to carry it through. LESSON Three.
Next, the incoming McGuinty regime had to get the electricity establishment onside, the Independent Electricity System Operator, Ontario Power Generation, and Hydro One. The industry argued phasing it out would mean more expensive power for everyone, which could turn business away (ANOTHER COMMON ARGUMENT). In Ontario, however, the energy industry is largely owned by the province and run by government degree, and policy clarity was considered key. Regardless of the industry opposition, McGuinty’s administration believed they were “commissioned by history, to lead not to follow or to be dragged kicking and screaming into the future, but to leap.” LESSONS Four and Five.
Beware of false prophets, and similar to the successful acid rain campaign, Ontario increased nuclear power and also opened the door to more natural gas—a recommendation that came from doctors, local politicians and energy officials. The latter produces about half the carbon dioxide per unit of energy that burning coal emits as at that time, renewables were not front and center.
Taken from The Narwhale, Fatima Syed, December 3, 2024
Image Credit: Markus Spiske from Unsplash