Media release
B.C. Citizens for Green Energy
www.greenenergybc.ca
June 16, 2009
Vancouver, B.C. — B.C. Citizens for Green Energy (BCCGE) is applauding the NDP’s newly-appointed environment critic, Rob Fleming, and his refusal to endorse an NDP moratorium on independent green energy projects.
As reported by CBC News, Fleming refused to use the word “moratorium” last Friday when questioned by reporters about the NDP’s stand on independent green energy projects. Fleming also stated that “there are all kinds of renewable energy applications in British Columbia right now, and [he thinks] some of them are very interesting.”
David Field, co-spokesperson for B.C. Citizens for Green Energy, says he applauds Fleming and the NDP’s apparent change of direction regarding independent green energy projects and he encourages Fleming and the NDP to go even further by endorsing the key role that independent green energy projects have to play in securing B.C.’s clean energy future.
“Fleming’s comments last Friday are a welcome signal that the NDP are dropping the hard line, ideological stance they took against independent green energy projects during the recent provincial election,” Field says. “It’s a really positive turnaround, and I encourage Fleming and the NDP to go even further in their support for green energy projects—even so far as to restore the support the NDP have traditionally shown for independent green energy projects.”
Field points to the fact that the NDP have traditionally supported independent green energy projects—and the role these projects play in achieving the province’s energy goals—going all the way back to the early 1990s when the NDP were in government.
“Back in 1992, the NDP and their Energy and Mines Minister Anne Edwards fully recognized that independent green energy producers are a source of expertise and innovation that can keep B.C.’s electricity sector efficient and competitive,” Field said. “So I’m really pleased to see them moving back in that direction; back to the policy of actively supporting independent green energy projects and encouraging a mix of private and public sector investment and expertise like they once did.”
Field says the NDP’s traditional support for independent green energy projects was reaffirmed in August 2000 by the NDP’s then Employment & Investment Minister Gordon Wilson.
More recently, in March 2006, the NDP’s Norm Macdonald wrote a letter in support of an independent green energy project at David Thompson Falls and Cedar Creek in which he stated: “Adding clean, green power will contribute to the growth of the local economy. It will also help BC Hydro achieve its goal of having the most economic and environmentally friendly resource acquisition program in North America in the next five years.”
In April of this year, the NDP’s Scott Fraser applauded the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and their independent Canoe Creek run-of-river project calling it “very innovative” and stating that “it could give them the lead as true stewards of the land.”
According to Chris Hatch of Zero Carbon Canada, the NDP’s new environment critic Rob Fleming “was known to be a reluctant member of the [NDP’s] campaign against energy conservation, clean energy companies and other climate policies in the May provincial election.”
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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, sustainable electricity for future generations.
www.greenenergybc.ca