Four Council of Canadians chapters in Saskatchewan have joined with allies under the umbrella of Green Energy Project Saskatchewan to call for a Commission of Inquiry and Public Consultation to examine the optimum means of transitioning Saskatchewan away from fossil fuel dependence.
The Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Quill Lake-Wynyard, and Regina chapters say we must begin planning now for the transition away from the fossil fuel era.
A media release states, “Canada was one of 187 countries to sign the recent Paris COP21 Agreement that requires all signatories to take steps toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions to ensure the world’s threshold temperature of 1.5 degrees Celsius is not exceeded. The Government of Canada has pledged to reduce its annual greenhouse gas emissions by 524 MT by the end of 2020, which is the equivalent of all of the emissions currently produced by cars, trucks and the electricity used by buildings in the country each year. Green Energy Project believes that Saskatchewan, which produces about 74 MT annually must do its part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to Canada’s climate plan.”
Green Energy Project Saskatchewan has submitted a briefing note to the province’s economy minister that recommends an inquiry to examine the costs and benefits of:
– new conservation measures
– importing hydroelectricity
– a renewable energy research center
– phasing out coal-fired electricity and replacing it with solar and wind power
– taxation policy
– mitigation of the negative effects on workers and communities caused by the transition to renewables.
The Council of Canadians has endorsed the Leap Manifesto which says, “The latest research shows we could get 100% of our electricity from renewable resources within two decades; by 2050 we could have a 100% clean economy. We demand that this shift begin now.”
To read the Green Energy Project Saskatchewan media release, please click here.
