Media release - for immediate release
B.C. Citizens for Green Energy
www.greenenergybc.ca
September 29, 2011

Renewable energy creates
B.C. jobs province-wide

“There’s certainly going to be heightened job activity
in the Northeast and Northwest of B.C. under the Jobs Plan,
but developing B.C.’s renewable clean energy resources would create jobs all over the province, helping all B.C.
communities and particularly First Nations communities.”

— David Field, co-spokesperson, B.C. Citizens for Green Energy —

Vancouver, B.C. — B.C. Citizens for Green Energy (BCCGE) is applauding the Premier’s BC Jobs Plan unveiled last week and its commitment to maintain B.C. as a “climate change leader” and leader in clean energy technology.

BCCGE co-spokesperson David Field says the development of a liquid natural gas (LNG) export industry, which is outlined in the jobs plan, has the potential to not only create jobs in B.C. but also the potential to offset a considerable amount of coal-fired electricity generation in China and other parts of Asia. 

Field is also quick to point out that B.C. already has a head start on creating jobs throughout the province with existing plans to develop the province’s abundant renewable green energy resources.

“We shouldn’t forget that we already have a sustainable job plan in place with renewable, green energy development and the goal to make the province self-sufficient in electricity generation,” Field said. 

“Green energy development has to be as much a part of the next generation’s job prospects as anything outlined in the BC Jobs Plan; and in a very real sense, B.C.’s job plan “IS” green power as we continue to take action on climate change.” 

Field says what’s needed in particular is investment in new transmission capacity to get renewable energy from where it is generated around the province to the new industrial load centers that will be created by the Jobs Plan.

“There’s certainly going to be heightened job activity in the Northeast and Northwest of B.C. under the Jobs Plan, but developing B.C.’s renewable clean energy resources would create jobs all over the province, helping all B.C. communities and particularly First Nations communities,” Field said.  

“If B.C. really wants to be a ‘climate change leader’ as the Jobs Plan states, then we need to stay the course with renewable energy development and the policy of self-sufficiency and not miss the opportunity we have to meet future electricity load growth in our province the right way with renewable clean energy.”

Field says it’s important that we support what we’ve already started in this province with job-creating renewable energy development and that now is not the time to abandon the goal of electricity self-sufficiency or the jobs that renewable energy development can create and support province-wide.

“I applaud the Premier’s BC Jobs plan for zeroing in on the natural strengths of British Columbia, converting them into competitive advantages, and turning opportunity into lasting economic benefit for all British Columbians; and to me that means developing the wealth of renewable energy resources we have here in B.C., now and for future generations,” Field said.  

“Let’s not miss this opportunity to do it right, to create jobs throughout B.C., and to create a legacy of lasting economic benefit from renewable clean energy.”

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