The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership says companies need more time to prepare for Ontario's new cap-and-trade policy.
Companies would be charged for exceeding set emission limits but could purchase credits from industries below the cap.
SLEP General Manager George Mallay says local companies need to better understand the regulations and develop systems to best suit their needs.
"We also believe there's a significant opportunity to continue to grow our bio-hybrid chemistry and energy cluster here," says Mallay.
"That could actually help the government achieve its cap-and-trade goals as well as enable Ontario to develop technologies that can be marketed globally."
The province has issued free allowances to 14% of large greenhouse gas emitters until 2020 and will revisit the policy then.
Mallay says Chemical Valley companies need more details to allow for advance planning.
