Suspending the second round…

Suspending the second round of Large Renewable Procurement was a mistake on several fronts. This procurement was providing a market to help grow the industry domestically. First, Suspension will send that innovation elsewhere. We will be purchasers of technology from elsewhere rather than producers and exporters of innovative renewable technology. Second, this is an industry that requires time to ramp up and will not be there when the tap is opened again (as it will be). Countries that continue to support the industry will step in and sell their product to us. Third, while there may be some excess electricity in the province right now, to move to a lower carbon economy will require renewables rather than gas plants. Turning off the tap on renewables makes it all the tougher to reach the low carbon economy. Fourth, while renewables have had a small impact on the cost of electricity there have been much larger reasons such as inflation, and nuclear refurbishment. There has been little if any information from the government as to the true reasons for the increases in electricity rates leaving renewables as a political scape goat. This decision will have long term negative consequences. Recommend renewables be made a priority with a return to the large procurement program combined with public information on the true costs and benefits.

The current model for CDM programs where all programs come out of the same pot has totally left residential homes behind. With the cuurre

[Original Comment ID: 207181]