In 2006, former PC premier and founder Peter Lougheed began to argue passionately for a halt to any new oilsands projects. Moratorium talk is nothing new in Alberta’s energy world. The government owes the rural sector for its election win. That’s reflected by some members of the UCP’s powerful rural caucus. One reason is significant hostility to the green agenda in the UCP base. Heaven knows, public agencies are skilled at taking their time.īut they came out with this big splash. New approvals could quietly be set aside for a few months. ![]() The UCP surely could have slowed the pace without declaring a formal moratorium. That’s despite the province’s best efforts. The UCP claims Alberta can’t get off natural gas to produce electricity by the federal deadline, 2035. The moratorium could also cause more trouble with Ottawa. Opinion: Supporting renewable energy is a win-win for all Albertans.Alberta continues to lead Canada in renewable investment, while oil growth continues.Varcoe: Alberta minister says 'Wild, Wild West' wave of development triggered pause on renewables.“And it runs counter to Alberta’s need to decarbonize its electric system.” All deals are done on private land, privately negotiated. It casts a pall on renewable investment in the province. U of C economics professor Blake Shaffer, who specializes in climate policy and electricity, said on social media: “Still trying to wrap my head around this. Article contentīut they draw clean, useful energy from Alberta’s vast windscapes, without pollution or significant emissions. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Rows of wind turbines can seem inhuman and oddly creepy. Solar panel projects cover a lot of ground. And yet, we have a moratorium.Įvery energy action has impacts, of course. There has never been a sun spill or a wind leak, as far as I know. The great Lodgepole well eruption of 1982 threatened environment and health for 68 days before it was finally capped. That never stopped decades of development, despite the constant background worry about spills, leaks and sour gas blowouts. One stated reason is growing regulatory muddle with the volume of projects.Įxactly the same concerns followed oil and gas wherever they went. ![]() Now, abundant sunshine and wind, along with infrastructure and deep energy know-how, put us at the very top rank of green energy aspirations in the world.Īnd yet, the government calls a halt to all new applications and approvals until next February. The wind blows, the money flows, and we get lucky - again.įirst came the long run of oil and natural gas, producing immense wealth. Activate your Online Access Now Article contentĪlberta is attracting more investment into green projects than any other province. If you are a Home delivery print subscriber, unlimited online access is included in your subscription. ![]() Manage Print Subscription / Tax Receipt.
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