cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/12553230
Decision by premier Danielle Smith further pits Canadian province against environmental groups pushing green energy
Alberta will block renewable energy projects on “prime” agricultural land and limit the placement of wind turbines to preserve “pristine viewscapes”, a decision that increasingly pits the western Canadian province against environmental groups pushing green energy – and the companies investing in it.
The decision, announced by the premier, Danielle Smith, and utilities minister, Nathan Neudorf, on Wednesday, follows a controversial six-month ban on new renewable energy projects that is due to expire on 29 February.
Alberta’s moratorium, announced in August, left energy companies uncertain about billions in future investment, even as the region, with its clear skies and an abundance of wind, led the country in new renewable projects.
Nearly a third of Alberta’s grid is now powered by renewables and the province has shifted away from coal at a far faster rate than expected.
That’s such a great depiction of Alberta’s politics it’s both funny and tragic at the same time. Alberta (and SK for that matter) could be leading the nation in non-hydro renewables if they let the market decide, but for some reason the O&G industry needs to continue to be propped up. If only they could see the opportunity staring them in the face.