Media release - for immediate release
B.C. Citizens for Green Energy
www.greenenergybc.ca
December 22, 2011
Top 10 reasons to support
renewable energy in 2012
“The investment being made in the Kwoiek Creek run-of-river
project represents a significant economic boost for
a region of the province that’s been hurting for decades....
As MLA Barry Penner said the other day, the Kwoiek Creek project is ‘the biggest shot in the arm’ the Fraser Canyon
has had in several decades.”
— David Field, co-spokesperson, B.C. Citizens for Green Energy —
Vancouver, B.C. — B.C. Citizens for Green Energy (BCCGE) has released its list of the Top Ten reasons to support renewable green energy development in B.C. in 2012.
BCCGE co-spokesperson, David Field, says there are dozens of reasons to support the development of B.C.’s renewable green energy resources, but ten key reasons stand out.
Here are BCCGE’s Top Ten reasons to support the development of renewable green energy in B.C. in 2012:
1. It eliminates the need for B.C. to import electricity from coal-fired generators in Alberta and the U.S.A.
2. It creates high paying, long term jobs for the people of B.C. throughout the province
3. It reduces the need for hundreds of polluting diesel generators in remote regions of B.C.
4. It provides much-needed new revenue for those municipalities located near green energy projects
5. It creates economic activity for the people of B.C., especially in rural communities and for First Nations
6. By exporting clean renewable electricity from B.C. to coal-burning regions like Alberta and the U.S.A. we would be helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in North America
7. Exporting clean renewable electricity would produce revenue for the people of B.C. and help pay for healthcare, education and public infrastructure
8. Exporting clean renewable electricity would allow B.C. to reduce its debt load and could eventually help to eliminate the need for a provincial sales tax
9. Allowing independent green energy producers to develop renewable energy resources shields BC Hydro ratepayers and B.C. taxpayers from financial risk because the independent producers assume the risk
10. Developing renewable green energy allows B.C. to remain 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 go way beyond what BCCGE has noted on its Top Ten list.
For instance, new forecasts of electricity demand in B.C. recently released by the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CANWEA) have identified substantial new electricity loads not previously accounted for in BC Hydro forecasts.
These new, previously unaccounted-for demands on B.C.’s electricity system mean the province will need 12,000 gigawatt-hours of new electricity supply by 2017 and 24,000 gigawatt-hours by 2025 — two to four times previous forecasts.
Field says it’s also important to note that green energy projects in B.C. typically require more than 50 approvals, permits and licenses from 14 government regulatory bodies before they can get underway.
“A prime example is the 50 Megawatt Kwoiek Creek Hydroelectric Project south of Lytton which has just started construction,” Field said. “The $180 million run-of-river project — which is a partnership between the Kanaka Bar Indian Band and Innergex — has been 18 years in the making, and according to Chief James Frank it’s a dream come true for the Band.”
Over those 18 years of planning and preparation, the Kwoiek Creek project had to obtain an Environmental Assessment Certificate from the BC Environmental Assessment Office (March 2009) and approval from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (October 2009), along with a myriad of other permits and licences including a water licence (September 2011) and crown land tenure (August 2011).
“The investment being made in the Kwoiek Creek run-of-river project represents a significant economic boost for a region of the province that’s been hurting for decades,” Field said. “As MLA Barry Penner said the other day, the Kwoiek Creek project is ‘the biggest shot in the arm’ the Fraser Canyon has had in several decades.”
B.C. Citizens for Green Energy wish everyone a healthy and happy Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year in 2012.
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.
-30-
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