Political and envrionmental actionist Don Mclean Photo Credit: Don Mclean
Hello and welcome to another edition of Small Change. Today, we’re focusing on the impacts of Bill 165 ironically called, the Keeping Energy Costs Down Act (2024).
My guest today is Don Mclean, environmentalist, peace activist, self-described shit disturber and Hamilton’s best known rabble rouser. Don studied political science at the University of Guelph and has a master’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Waterloo.
Don’s list of political and environmental engagement and publications would fill the rest of this article. So, instead, I’ll include select links at the end of the piece.
Bill 165 was crafted in response to a decision made by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) -- a well established independent oversight body.
At issue is who will pay Enbridge to install gas piping to new homes and businesses at an estimated cost of $250 million annually.
The OEB said NO to Enbridge’s plan pass these costs onto existing customers citing more homes being fitted, and retrofitted, with less expensive, cleaner heat pumps and induction stoves.
The OEB did not think customers should have to subsidize new gas pipelines for a for-profit corporation. Those costs, it felt, should be borne by those building or moving into the new builds.
The day after the OEB decision was released, Conservative MPP, and Minister of Energy, Todd Smith announced the Ford government was overturning the OEB decision, firing the chair and effectively ending the independent regulator’s role.
It’s important to note that Enbridge made profits totalling $1.73 billion last year. Yet, Ontarians are being forced to provide Enbridge with corporate welfare payments of $250 million in 2024 which will continue in perpetuity.
At the same time, Enbridge is in the process of laying off 650 employees while increasing customer rates.
I would argue that the rate increase is a form of taxation being imposed on Ontarians by the Ford government. That energy tax has simply been badly disguised using a purposely misnamed act that increases, rather than decreases, energy costs for individuals and businesses alike.
Enbridge promotes ‘natural gas’ as, “A naturally occurring gas mixture consisting mainly of methane.”
Reality is, methane gas is a far worse greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. In fact, methane gas is 80 times more potent at warming the climate than carbon dioxide. Beware of corporate greenwashing!
And, many Ontarians are unaware that the majority of Ontario’s ‘natural gas’ supply is fracked in the United States. The fracking process combined with transportation, distribution and abandoned old ‘natural gas’ wells all leak considerable amounts of ‘natural gas’ into the atmosphere. That means the entire process from beginning to end is a climate catastrophe.
On February 14, 2024, Hamilton city council took the bold step of unanimously approving a motion put forth by Ward 12 councillor, Craig Cassar. That motion supported the OEB decision to not subsidize methane gas pipeline installations in new residential developments and to reduce spending on gas pipelines generally.
In his motion, Cassar argued that residents should not subsidized the construction of new methane gas pipelines because it’s inconsistent with the Hamilton’s climate targets and will result in higher carbon emissions, higher energy bills, and higher future decarbonization retrofit costs.
Hamilton sent their unanimous decision to other Ontario municipal councils, Ford and other key politicians.
Sandy Shaw, NDP MPP for West Hamilton-Ancaster-Dundas as well as NDP MPP Monique Taylor representing Hamilton-Mountain and Independent MPP Sarah Jama from Hamilton-Centre have all issued statements regarding Bill 165.
Not surprisingly, there has been resounding silence from Hamilton Conservative MPPs Donna Skelly and Neil Lumsden.
Ironically, the final approval of Bill 165 is scheduled for today -- April 22nd -- Earth Day.
Given the conservative majority at Queen’s Park, Bill 165, Keeping Energy Costs Down Act, will inevitably become law.
So, what will be the impact on Enbridge customers, the climate crisis and future generations of Hamiltonians, Ontarians and ultimately, Canadians?
And, is there anything that you can do to fight Bill 165?
Listen to my conversation with Don Mclean. Then, share Don’s wealth of knowledge and brilliant ideas with family, friends, environmental and political groups and begin strategizing and taking action to get Bill 165 repealed.
Because, at the end of the day, Bill 165 will not keep energy costs down, it will accelerate the climate crisis and it will ultimately impede Ontario’s transition to a green economy.
*Editor’s note April 25, 2024:
I’ve had several subscribers contact me to point out that Richard Dicerni, Chair of the OEB passed away in July 2023 and that Bill 165 was not voted on on Earth Day.
Yes, Dicerni did pass and according to Keith Brooks, Programs Director at Environmental Defence, “Todd Smith did announce that they would be appointing a new chair of the OEB.”
To date, no one has been announced.
Brooks went on to state via email, “[The Ford government] is undermining the independence of the board as well, and giving the minister broad discretionary powers.”
As for Bill 165, Brooks wrote, “It looked like bill 165 was going to pass sometime this week, maybe on Earth day, but the house schedule got juggled and it’s unclear when it will come forward for third and final reading.”
Editor’s note May 16, 2024:
On May 15, 2024 the Ford government passed the Keeping Energy Costs Down Act — Bill 165.
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Don’s actionism and awards – well, many of them:
Citizens At City Hall (CATCH): Bill 165
Conserver Society of Hamilton and District
Hamilton 350 committee – fighting Enbridge Line 9B and Bill 165
Transit Talk on CFMU 93.5 FM – featured on Unusual Sources on the third Wednesday of the month from 5:00 to 6:00 pm.
Taught environmental assessment for Athabasca University
Taught environmental and resource studies for the University of Waterloo
Award of Merit recognition at the 1992 Hamilton Environmentalist of the Year Awards
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
Independent Media Lifetime Achievement Award
Inducted into the Hamilton Gallery of distinction (2019)
McMaster University Honorary Degree recipient (2021)
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Additional Resources:
Gasland documentary chronicles the impacts of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, on groundwater. And, yes, methane in your drinking water will ignite!
Think an abandoned methane well can’t hurt anyone? Then, you need to remember what happened to downtown Wheatly, Ontario (2021). Another reason corporations need to be held financially accountable for the environmental damage and destruction inflicted on the public commons when they abandon natural gas wells instead of properly closing them down.
Check out the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) and sign their Fossil Fuel is Making Us Sick petition. This group has been leading the push to move to induction stove tops and away from gas stoves.
Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act received Royal Assent in the Ontario legislature on April 3, 2019 and effectively eviscerated hard won labour and environmental protections.
Thanks to everyone who read today’s article and listened to my podcast. With your continued support, a little Nicoll can make a lot of change.
Music: Real Estate by UNIVERSFIELD is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License. freemusicarchive.org.
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To celebrate Earth Day, Ford govt passes Bill 165 accelerating the climate crisis while impeding transition to green economy