Matt Horne, Director of British Columbia Energy Solutions for the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to B.C. Hydro's decision to sign electricity purchase agreements with 19 new wind and run-of-river electricity projects:
"Today's announcement highlights the potential for clean and renewable electricity projects in B.C., while also foreshadowing the challenges that the province needs to confront if resources like wind and run-of-river are going to be developed in the public interest.
"Low-impact renewable energy from resources such as wind, run-of-river, solar and biomass need to be the engines of tomorrow's economy. These are the types of investments that must happen if B.C. and other jurisdictions are going to take meaningful action against climate change.
"For clean and renewable electricity development to continue, however, B.C.'s current 'plan-free' approach needs a major overhaul. Better regional planning with meaningful public input will ensure that future projects are developed in responsible locations with the lowest impacts possible. The same improvements will also provide greater certainty for developers. The forthcoming Clean Energy Act is the opportunity to begin addressing these concerns."
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The Pembina Institute is a non-partisan sustainable energy think tank.
For more information, contact:
Matt Horne
Director, British Columbia Energy Solutions Program
The Pembina Institute
Cell: 778-235-1476
matth@pembina.org