Concerns grow over compensation payouts for Ontario´s cancelled green energy projects
(The Star Food)

Premier Doug Ford’s axing of more than 750 green energy projects has cost taxpayers $1.1 million in financial penalties so far, but with hundreds of companies yet to apply for compensation there are fears the $231 million earmarked this year won’t be enough. The $1.1 million is shared by 13 renewable energy firms — an average of $84,615 each — although the government agency that handles the contracts won’t provide details despite calls from opposition parties in the legislature for a review by Ontario’s auditor general. “We are not able to provide a breakdown of how much was reimbursed to each affected developer because it is confidential,� the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) said in an email to the Star.“The amount each affected developer is entitled to is dependent on how far along in development their project was at the time of termination,� IESO spokesman John Cannella added, noting the affected projects were in “early stages.�To date, the agency has received 215 applications from developers that are now being considered for reimbursement — leaving more than 500 developers yet to apply. Payments are for eligible pre-construction development costs that can be confirmed. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is urging the Progressive Conservative government to call in auditor general Bonnie Lysyk to ensure transparency amid concerns costs could balloon as they did after a previous Liberal administration scrapped two gas-fired power plants before the 2011 election. Lysyk found those costs could total $1.1 billion over 20 years. “While they were quite adamant that the auditor general should look at those numbers when the Liberals were in office, now that they’re in office they are trying to avoid the auditor general’s scrutiny…people deserve to know how much this boondoggle is going to cost,� Horwath said Monday.“We are very, very concerned that t ...