Environmental groups urge B.C. to slow green-power development
This entry was posted on Friday, December 18th, 2009 and is filed under BC Hydro, Green Energy.
Province needs to restore public confidence and show that power for export works to its benefit
British Columbia needs to take a closer look at the effect new renewable electricity development will have on communities, business and the environment before it commits to increasing the size of the sector, environmental groups said Thursday.
A report prepared for 25 environmental groups says B.C. needs to restore public confidence as well as demonstrate that plans to develop power for export will work to the benefit of the province.
“Many British Columbians–including those deeply concerned about climate change — harbour concerns about how renewable electricity is currently planned, promoted and developed in B.C.,” says a six-page report released Thursday.
“They want to see renewable electricity projects, but they want to be confident that those projects are planned and developed in a way that limits impacts and maximizes benefits for British Columbians.”
The report was co-written by David Suzuki Foundation, Pembina Institute, Watershed Watch Salmon Society and West Coast Environmental Law.
The report is aimed at both the government and members of a Green Energy Advisory Task Force announced last month by Premier Gordon Campbell to recommend new policies for green power development, and opportunities to export renewable power to the United States.
Blair Lekstrom, minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, said he welcomed the report.
Lekstrom encouraged the authors to submit it to the committee which is due to report back to government in January.
By Scott Simpson, Vancouver Sun
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