For immediate release:
December 19, 2005

How smart is smart?
Government energy plans to be aired at Simcoe Committee Hearings

Simcoe – Before smart meters make their way into area homes MPP Toby Barrett is encouraging ratepayers to have their say. The Standing Committee on Justice Policy will hear testimony on the legislation and visit Simcoe in the New Year.

The Committee will receive public input from the Simcoe area February 6th in regards to Bill 21, An Act to enact the Energy Conservation Leadership Act – the Act requires smart meters in Ontario homes to indicate the price and amount of energy people are consuming at any given hour.

Barrett says it also provides an opportunity for people to present their views on coal and nuclear generation. Recently, during Legislature debate on the issue MPP Barrett pointed out that there are still many questions surrounding the costs and tangible benefits of smart meters.

“We still really have no answers on how much this will cost and what the foreseeable results will be, if this is implemented - I understand the initial cost will be high,” Barrett said. “I wish the government had worked this out and told people about it.

“Obviously, the cost will be transferred to the consumer, and that’s a consumer who is already struggling to pay current bills; current bills that are only heading higher as this government continues to cut off the supply of electricity.”

Barrett also indicated that the smart meter initiative may miss the mark in Rural Ontario.

“You have to understand that dairy cattle cannot wait until the smart meter off-peak  hours to be milked,” stated Barrett. “Our former energy critic posed this question last spring: ‘How can a dairy farmer in Ontario shift demand to those off-peak times you talked about - the cows have to be milked and you’re putting them out of business.”

Those interested in presenting to the Committee in regards to McGuinty Government energy policy and Bill 21 are asked to contact the Committee Clerk by Tuesday, January 31, 2006 at 5:00 p.m at (416) 325-3526.

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For more information please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446, 416-325-8404 or 1-800-903-8629