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s the Ontario, and Waterioo Region, population continues to grow, the demand for a sustainable supply of electricity will increase in prominence on the provincial and local publicâ€"policy agenâ€" a. 4 Along with a focus on planning fp’r new generating capacity, transmission infrastructure and other investments, the provincial government has placed a heavy emphasis on energy conservation initiaâ€" tives. _ On Oct. 25, 2007, Jan Carr, the chief executive officer of the Ontario Power Authority, provided the luncheon address for the Intelligent Waterloo Conference at the Centre for International Governance Innovation. â€"â€" Earlier that day, our chamber hosted Carr for a round table discussion on energy issues with local manufacturers and business leaders. _ The Ontario Power Kuthority (OPA) was created by the Ontario government in 2004 to ensure that â€" consumers maintain access to a reliable and sustainable supply of electricity. To meet this mandate, the OPA recently released their Integrated Power System Plan, or IPSP, which Warenioo‘s Own provides a detailed strategy of measures required over the next Sovears. 0C Community NewsPaPER dations for addressing electricity demand in Waterloo Region encompass 200 megawatts of additional conservation by 2015, some minor transmission upgrades, and 450 megawatts of new gasâ€"fired generation to be built and inâ€"service by 2012. On the pr(){:incial level, the IPSP is proposing one of the most ambitious electricity conservation efforts in North America. â€" By 2025, 6,300 megawatts of total peakâ€"period electricity demand will be reduced through conservation, which is the equivalent of removing one house in five from the current Ontario gnd. Demand for a sustainable electricity supply grows with the population By another measure, the reduction target represents one quarter of the current peakâ€"demand level. The plan notes that conservation comes first and will take priority over any form of new supply. Four conservation cateâ€" gories have been designated â€" energy efficiency, demand management/conservation behaviour, customerâ€"based genâ€" eration and fuelâ€"switching. Last Wednesday, Peter Love, Ontario‘s chief energy conserâ€" vation officer, noted that he expects the province will meet an interim peak demand reduction target of 1,350 megawatts by the end of this year. He has also proposed that private sector organizations across Ontario appoint an energy conservation officer, who would be responsible for auditing current energy use and monitoring reduction efforts. Ideally, conservation efforts could commence with electricâ€" ity and subsequently consider natural gas and petroleum usage. There is no question that Waterloo Region‘s projected popâ€" ulation and economic growth will present significant energy supply issues. s â€" s It is, however, imperative that businesses and institutions maintain access to an affordable and reliable supply of elecâ€" tricity. The Ontario Power Authority has presented a significant conservation challenge for all consumers, and our chamber will be closely monitoring progress and developments on this important portfalio. Todd Letts is president & CEO and Art Sinclair is policy advisor for the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. The demand for elecâ€" tricity in Waterloo Region is growing at a rate of approximately 2.1 per cent annually, which is above the provincial average of one per cent per year. Current forecasts desâ€" ignate us as one of Canaâ€" da‘s fastest growing comâ€" munities, with a populaâ€" tion expected to reach 729,000 by 2031. Accordingly, the demand for local elecâ€" tricity is expected to escalate at a higher rate than the provincial averâ€" age. The JPSP recommenâ€" L d ul ducbnalbhest is td ase Aviabnt: sipalifenndintmanisne. rnta mmaty inoy oo on m en I under 1 â€" a higher rate than lar rates on CIBC Shortâ€"Term GICs for the same term. 1â€" and 2â€"year terms (when offered) are for i or registered GIC pormosoflwtenm (when’;g:md) are for nonâ€"registered GIC mflmmhmmdflbmmsmdrmmamflmt is available on select terms for a limited time; available terms and rates may change anytime without notice. Minimum investment amounts apply; ask a CIBC advisor for details. "CIBC For what matters" is a TM of CIBC. . 2. 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