How Green Should We Be?

These days are quite interesting as we hear so much about reducing our carbon footprint. With the United Nation Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Premier Stephen Harper trying to defend the Alberta oil-sands project and the sale of NB Power to Hydro-Québec, there is lots of information swirling around. Needless to say I find it disturbing that while every other country are looking towards a coalition of New Brunswickers are basically rejecting green energy.

Last week, Yves Ganon, holder of the K.C. Irving Chair in Sustainable Development, suggests that we could replace the Hydro Quebec factor with a full scale wind-development strategy with a potential wind-generated electricity of 4,000 megawatts. Mr. Gagnon has been a longtime supporter of this vision and although I agree that this is something we could see in the future it is not, however, the solution to NB’s problem right now. Another great idea is building a turbine like generator in the Bay of Fundy. These two ideas are both good green energy substitute. However, one problem the New Brunswick government is facing now is the upcoming lack of funds. By being already so deeply in debt and more than $2 billion more lurking on the horizon in upcoming refurbishment, how could the government invest in these other green ideas and survive?

I have heard lots of comments from the NO to Sale of NB Power site about waiting 15-20 years and we can reap the benefits. But in the meantime, will the province survive? Even at a minimum of 15 years, how many industries will up and leave because of high electricity rates? How many people will up and leave because of no jobs? We need to increase our population now, not in 15 years. New Brunswick is not the first province to sell their energy sector and Shawn Graham isn’t the first premier to think of it. He is however, the first to make a stand.

What is an important aspect the Hydro-Québec-NB Power deal is the fact that it is hands down, a better green energy initiative for the province right here, right now. I honestly believe this deal is a good one for New Brunswick, now and for the future. This is the time where we should be as green as we can be.

But that’s just my two cents worth
Peace