Media release - for immediate release
B.C. Citizens for Green Energy
www.greenenergybc.ca
January 3, 2011
Top 10 reasons to support
renewable energy in 2011
“It’s environmentally and economically unacceptable
that an energy rich province like B.C. has to
import
electricity.... We need to start tapping into the wealth of
run-of-river, wind, biomass and other renewable green
energy resources we have right here in this province....”
— David Field, co-spokesperson, B.C. Citizens for Green Energy —
Vancouver, B.C. — The new coat of paint may still be wet on 2011 but that’s no reason not to kick the year off with a fresh look at the economic, environmental and social benefits of renewable green energy.
So says David Field from B.C. Citizens for Green Energy (BCCGE), and he’s compiled a list of the top ten reasons to support the development of renewable green energy in B.C. in 2011.
The Top Ten reasons to support the development of renewable green energy in B.C. in 2011 are:
1. Eliminates the need for B.C. to import electricity from coal-fired generators in Alberta and the U.S.A.
2. Creates jobs for the people of B.C.
3. Reduces the need for hundreds of polluting diesel generators in remote regions of B.C.
4. Provides much-needed new revenue for B.C. municipalities located near green energy projects
5. Creates economic activity for the people of B.C., especially in rural communities and for B.C.’s First Nations
6. Exporting clean renewable electricity from B.C. to coal-burning regions like Alberta and the U.S.A. would help reduce GHG emissions in North America
7. Exporting clean renewable electricity would produce revenue for the people of B.C. to help pay for healthcare, education and public infrastructure
8. Exporting clean renewable electricity will allow B.C. to reduce its debt load and could eventually eliminate the need for provincial sales tax revenue as is the case in Alberta
9. Shields BC Hydro ratepayers and B.C. taxpayers from financial risk because the risk is assumed by renewable energy producers
10. Developing renewable green energy allows B.C. to once again be a world leader in clean energy with relatively little environmental impact
Field says the reasons to support the development of B.C.’s renewable green energy resources speak for themselves and they go beyond what is noted on the Top Ten list; especially considering the fact that BC Hydro and the province as a whole have both become net importers of electricity in recent years with BC Hydro having significantly increased its reliance on imported electricity in 2010.
In fact, according to BC Hydro’s annual reports, 2009 was the ninth year out of ten in which BC Hydro ended up being a net importer of electricity. And low snowpack accumulation around the province last winter, which led to low water levels in BC Hydro’s hydroelectric reservoirs, could lead to 2010 being the tenth net importation year out of eleven for BC Hydro.
“It’s environmentally and economically unacceptable that an energy rich province like B.C. has to import electricity,” Field says. “We need to start tapping into the wealth of run-of-river, wind, biomass and other renewable green energy resources we have right here in this province. These clean energy sources can supplement the clean power BC Hydro generates allowing BC Hydro to replenish its reservoirs so they’re fully charged for when we truly need that power.”
For more information about green energy in B.C. please visit the BCCGE website at www.greenenergybc.ca and join the green energy discussion on the BCCGE Livewire Blog.
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For more information contact David Field
Co-spokesperson, B.C. Citizens for Green Energy
604-529-1604
e-mail us at info@greenenergybc.ca
B.C. Citizens for Green Energy is an advocacy group representing a cross-section of British Columbians who encourage a legacy of clean, renewable electricity for future generations.
www.greenenergybc.ca