The chicken or the egg, Minister Renner? :: Parkland blog :: Parkland Institute
According to Alberta's Environment Minister Rob Renner, "The fact remains, we have to face the reality that there will not be a dramatic reduction in dependence on hydrocarbons until alternative kinds of fuel and energy are developed."
Actually, he has it backwards. Alternative fuels will not be developed as long as it is business as usual for fossil fuels - not unless we dramatically reduce subsidies to fossil fuels and level the playing field. Rob Seidel, the new chairman of the board of Alberta Innovates Health Solutions, stated in the Edmonton Journal that, "More than 800 people at U of A are working on new technology for the oilsands." This is at the University of Alberta alone. Imagine what that level of research and development would be able to accomplish if harnessed for renewable energy.
A recent international study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development found that Alberta gives an estimated $1.05 billion in direct subsidies to oil and gas. In contrast, Tim Weiss of the Pembina Institute states that Alberta has no serious program to encourage the development of wind and other renewables.
No comments:
Post a Comment