October 25, 2004

Green power for Canada

Pollution Probe releases vision and strategy for clean electricity

(Toronto, ON) Pollution Probe today released a long-term Green Power Vision and Strategy for Canada to accelerate the development of low-impact renewable energy for electricity across the country. Pollution Probe’s research demonstrates that Green Power can potentially supply half of Canada’s electricity generation needs.

The Green Power Vision and Strategy for Canada provides a compendium of all the key elements for achieving clean energy — such as investment incentives, infrastructure development and public involvement. It lays out sustainable electricity options in order of priority and outlines actions that can be taken at all levels of government, taking into account regional resources, economic circumstances and a range of incentives.

The new Vision follows the federal commitment, made by Environment Minister Stéphane Dion, “to develop a clean, renewable energy strategy” in cooperation with provinces, industry, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and consumers. Green Power — wind, solar, small scale hydro, biomass, geothermal, wave and tidal energy — is essential to Canada’s long term ability to address climate change. Particularly as the price of energy continues to rise, Canada must move aggressively if Canadians are to realize the full range of Green Power benefits, including rural development and job creation, energy security, clean energy technology exports and air pollution reduction. 

“We’re seeing laudable efforts to develop green power in many provinces,” said Pollution Probe’s Executive Director Ken Ogilvie.  “Our report provides further direction and demonstrates that we can do much more together than we can alone. There is a tremendous opportunity and need for Canadians to share a Green Power Vision and support each other in this exciting initiative.”   

The Green Power Vision and Strategy for Canada, along with a summary of existing provincial and territorial green power targets and commitments, is available at www.pollutionprobe.org/whatwedo/greenpower/index.html

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For more information:

Ken Ogilvie, Executive Director

(416) 926-1907 x231

Mary Pattenden, Director Climate Change

(416) 926-1907 x243