On November 29th, 2017, Ontario held the fourth Cap and Trade Auction of the year. Earlier auctions have shown mixed results with participants showing hesitation in buying Future 2020 Allowances. This hesitation was due to uncertainty in the new program. By the third auction in September, that uncertainty vanished, as all 25 million plus Current 2017 Vintage Allowances, as well as all 3 million plus Future Allowances, were sold. This change in opinion may have come from confidence in the program as it continued into its 3rd auction combined with a strong Federal and Provincial stance on Greenhouse Gas emissions and an increasing societal shift towards environmental sustainability.

In the fourth auction, Current Allowances were sold at $17.38, which was the floor price set by Ontario, While the Future Allowances sold for $18.89, which was $1.51 over the floor price. Also, Future Allowances sold out, while only 83% of Current Allowances were sold.  This reflects a slight change in perception in the auction, which historically has always sold all of the Current Allowances above the floor price.   Ontario’s commitment to join Quebec and California’s joint Cap and Trade Auction may have buyers holding off on purchasing Current Allowances, while at the same time increasing their purchases of future allowances since it seems like the Cap and Trade Auction will continue, and prices are likely to increase. 

The Government of Ontario has not wasted any time in reinvesting the proceeds from the Cap and Trade. On August 30th, 2017, Ontario announced $377 million in programs and rebates to help residents and businesses save money and fight climate change, on top of its previous funding announcements. The Cap and Trade Auction is expected to increase residents’ bills by approx. $13 per month and an even higher increase can be expected for businesses in Ontario. However, with Ontario reinvesting in energy efficiency and reduction, now is the time to consult with a Certified Energy Manager to see what options are available for your business and to get in on these government programs to reap the rewards of these auctions.

Contact Canadian Energy Strategies Inc for information or to book a meeting with an in-house Certified Energy Manager.

The full auction report can be found here.