Ontario Energy Association Supports Government's Comprehensive Review of Electricity Sector

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 13, 2012) - The Ontario Energy Association (OEA) applauds the Government of Ontario for launching a comprehensive review of Ontario's electricity sector.

"We are extremely pleased to see the Province taking steps towards improving efficiency within the sector. It's a win-win for our members and consumers," said Elise Herzig, President and CEO, OEA. "This review aligns with the recommendations we made to the government in our pre-budget submission earlier this year. We look forward to continuing to work with the government."

The OEA's 2012 provincial pre-budget submission called on the provincial government to:

Remove impediments to private sector investments in Local Distribution Companies (LDC)

• Abolish the transfer tax and review the regulatory framework for LDCs to ensure they can maximize opportunities for public-private partnership where it is economical to do so.

Improve cost efficiencies in the energy sector

• Align the role of electricity prices and generation procurement with power system needs and market signals; and
• Clarifying the mandates of energy agencies to prevent overlap in their responsibilities.

The complete OEA 2012 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission is available on the OEA website at: www.energyontario.ca

About the OEA

The OEA is Ontario's energy voice and has more than 150 corporate members that represent the full diversity of the energy industry in Ontario - power producers, firms that transport, transmit and deliver natural gas and electricity, marketers and retailers, manufacturers, contractors, service providers, and energy consultants.