Yesterday, the C.D. Howe Institute released their review of the Government’s renewable energy programs where they suggested the need for a re-focusing of tax-payer money.

The report calls for “A redirection of federal funds towards more fiscally cost-effective carbon mitigation.” It finds that the money is being spent inefficiently on subsidizing technologies aimed at reducing our CO2 emissions.
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It is really incredible to watch the development of an idea, as it grows into something grand.

I have been lucky enough to watch the idea of one Thornhill, Ontario (my hometown) resident, Jonathan Maister expand right before my very eyes.

In an April 2008 issue of Canadian Geographic Magazine, Jonathan read about the West Toronto Initiative for Solar Energy (WISE). The community-led renewable energy project organized the bulk purchase of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Solar Hot Water (SHW) systems. In the first wave of this initiative, 86 units (60 solar hot water systems and 26 solar electric systems) were ordered. Residents were able to take their own personal energy use into their own hands while reducing their environmental impact (through the reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions their energy source resulted in).
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