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The Association of Power Producers of Ontario (abbreviated APPrO) is a

trade and professional body representing commercial electricity generators in Ontario,

and the largest organization of its type in Canada. APPrO was established in 1986 as the Independent Power Producers’

Society of Ontario (IPPSO) and changed its name to APPrO in 2003. It projects a unified

voice of advocacy for Ontario-based generators of all types, addressing a range of

public policy and regulatory issues of concern to the power industry. The organization

also operates industry conferences and produces a number of publications, both hardcopy

and electronic. The APPrO conference is the largest annual event of its type in

Canada, and its magazine, IPPSO FACTO, is considered by many in the industry

to be one of the most authoritative periodicals on electricity business and policy

issues in Canada.

APPrO currently has about 100 corporate members who collectively produce more than

95% of the electricity made in Ontario. Corporate members include some of the most

well-known names in the Canadian power business such as [http://www.opg.com Ontario

Power Generation], Bruce Power and

Brookfield Renewable Power, along with many

lesser-known companies. The total value of assets owned or operated by APPrO members is

estimated at more than C$50 billion and the total annual sales of electricity by APPrO

members exceeds C$10 billion per year. APPrO members produce electricity from a range

of sources including natural gas, hydroelectricity (waterpower), co-generation, wind,

solar, biomass, nuclear, coal, and other sources.

The organization has been a leading advocate for public policies and regulatory

treatments that it believes would facilitate the development of power generation in the

province and assist in the development of a more open and competitive market for power.

APPrO’s mission statement cites the following as its top objective: The achievement

of an economically and environmentally sustainable electricity sector in Ontario that

supports the business interests of electricity generators including a reasonable rate

of return. APPrO’s current advocacy work is focused on regulatory and policy issues affecting

generators in Ontario including electricity market rules, power procurement processes,

the regulation of the natural gas market, both provincially and federally, climate

change rules and compliance mechanisms, approval requirements, transmission

development, distributed generation, and a number of other issues.

Structure and History
APPrO has frequently put forward the view that the greatest benefits for consumers

of electricity are likely to be achieved through the development of open and

competitive markets for the production of electricity. Since it was established in

1986, APPrO has been one of the most vocal and consistent advocates for increasing the

use of renewable energy in Ontario. Originally incorporated as the Independent Power

Producers’ Society of Ontario, the organization grew in scale and scope during the

1990s.

APPrO's predecessor IPPSO was one of the forces that helped convince the Ontario

government to end the near-monopoly status of the former Ontario Hydro and introduce a

competitive wholesale market for electricity in the province. The organization is governed by a Board of 28 directors, and is operated on a day to

day basis by a President, an Executive Director and support staff. 13 of the directors

are appointed as direct representatives of major generator members or staff, and the

remainder are elected from various categories of APPrO members. The first full-time

(and current) president of APPrO is David Butters. The Executive Director is Jake

Brooks.

APPrO describes its role as one in which it has “raised awareness and understanding

of its members' concerns with senior decision-makers in government, regulatory bodies

and the public at large.” One of its publications says “Through its consistent record

of insightful and constructive input, top-notch spokespeople, landmark conferences and

widely respected publications, APPrO has earned status as a key stakeholder in

Ontario's energy sector that ensures it will be consulted on any major developments of

concern.” APPrO has formally intervened in a large number of public hearings and policy

development consultations.

Over the years, APPrO's efforts have affected important decisions in the areas of

ramp rates, natural gas supply services, net load billing for network transmission

services, market design, and large number of technical rules and procedures. APPrO has

worked closely with the Ontario government to ensure that the concerns and perspectives

of its members are reflected in the contracting process for various procurement

processes. APPrO says it intends to continue to advocate for “fair access to the market

for all generators, reasonable terms for interconnection to the electric grid, a more

efficient system in the future, and lower costs for all users of the electric system in

Ontario.”

Positions and Principles
A vision statement released by APPrO in 2006 cited the following as among its goals

and as its “preferred direction for evolution of the electricity sector”:

Goals for Evolution of the Electricity Sector: • Encourage efficient and timely investment in Ontario’s power system to ensure

adequacy and reliability. • Produce the optimal electricity cost for Ontario consumers.

Principles for Evolution: 1. Decisions affecting the power sector should be made on an economically rational

basis 2. Prices should reflect the true cost/value of production. 3. Robust competition among generators is a critical factor in achieving the optimal

electricity cost for Ontario consumers. 4. Public and private sector entities should compete on a level playing field. 5. Markets with multiple sellers and buyers are the most effective way to harness the

benefits of competition. 6. Stable and predictable public policy is critical to efficient investment and

effective markets.

The Canadian Power Conference and Trade Show
APPrO’s annual conference, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2008, has become

the largest annual event in the Canadian power generation industry.

Regularly featuring the Ontario Minister of Energy as a keynote speaker, along with

senior executives, regulators, and a range of experts from the provincial and national

power sector, it has become a key place for important announcements and for the

industry to discuss the critical concerns of the day. The 2008 event attracted more

than 1000 people and featured more than 60 speakers.

Publications
IPPSO FACTO, APPrO’s magazine (available in both hardcopy and

online forms)

Public information initiative:

[http://www.appro.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=57&Itemid=90 "Powering

Ontario’s Future"], begun by APPrO in 2007

A wide range of statements and releases, many of which can be seen on

APPrO’s what’s new page.

Links to other power producer organizations

 * Independent Power Producers Society of Alberta (IPPSA)
 * Independent Power Association of British Columbia (IPPBC)
 * Canadian Electricity Association (CEA)
 * Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA)
 * Independent Power Producers of New York (IPPNY)
 * OSEA (Ontario Sustainable Energy Association
 * CanWEA (Canadian Wind Energy Association)
 * OWA (Ontario Waterpower Association)
 * WADE (The World Alliance for Decentralized Energy)

== See also ==