British Columbians oppose coal power: survey

New poll shows British Columbians demand provincial law to reduce global warming
Media Release, Sierra Legal, 02-Jan-2006

British Columbians oppose coal power: survey
CBC, 03-Jan-2007

VANCOUVER — An overwhelming majority of British Columbians are starting the new year wanting the province to enact climate change legislation with mandatory targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new province-wide survey.

The survey, carried out for Sierra Legal, found that 82 per cent of British Columbians agree (and 66 per cent strongly agree) that the B.C. government should enact such legislation. Only a small fraction (six per cent) strongly disagree that the province should do so.

Support for climate change legislation is equally strong across gender lines, all age groups and all geographic regions of the province.

“The results of this poll show that the B.C. public is demanding much more from the provincial government’s current climate change and energy policies,” says Sierra Legal Staff Lawyer Sean Nixon. “If a clear majority of British Columbians want a law that ensures a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the government should do its job and enact that legislation. British Columbians expect bold and responsible action to move us towards a sustainable energy future.”

Given a list of realistic energy options that B.C. may pursue to meet its energy needs, 86 per cent strongly agreed the province should encourage renewable energy such as wind and solar power. Seventy-nine percent of respondents strongly agreed B.C. should encourage energy efficiency and conservation. Only nine percent strongly agreed that the province should encourage coal-fired power plants, compared with 69 per cent that disagreed either strongly (48 per cent) or somewhat (21 per cent) that BC should pursue coal-fired power.

“The BC government should ask itself why it is encouraging coal-fired power plants over clean energy choices, like renewable energy, efficiency and conservation,” says Mr. Nixon.

“Global warming is the greatest economic and environmental threat facing B.C.,” says Ian Bruce, climate change specialist with the David Suzuki Foundation. “Instead of lagging behind, British Columbia’s government should be a leader in international efforts to fight global warming, and this poll shows that’s what people want.”

Under the B.C. government’s climate change and energy policies, B.C.’s greenhouse gas emissions have risen 30 per cent since 1990, with a five-point increase in the last year alone.

The poll results are taken from a province-wide survey conducted by Strategic Communications between November 23 and 30, 2006. Interviews were conducted by phone with 601 adult Canadian citizens (eligible voters) who reside in B.C. Respondents were selected by the random-household sampling method proportional to actual regional populations. The overall results are considered accurate to within ±4.0 percent, 19 times out of 20. Strategic Communications is a Canadian public opinion research firm with offices in Vancouver and Toronto.

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Download the poll here.

For more information please contact:

Sean Nixon,
Staff Lawyer
Sierra Legal
Cell: 604-328-1633

Ian Bruce
Climate Change Specialist
David Suzuki Foundation
Tel. 604-732-4228 x.275
Cell: 604-306-5095

Matt Horne
Community Project Analyst
Pembina Institute
Tel: 604-874-8558, ext. 223
Cell: 778-855-6762

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British Columbians oppose coal power: survey Last Updated: Wednesday, January 3, 2007 | 4:02 PM PT CBC News A majority of B.C. residents are opposed to producing electricity with coal-fired plants, a new poll commissioned by two environmental groups suggests.

The poll results, released Wednesday by the David Suzuki Foundation and the Sierra Legal Defence Fund, found that 69 per cent of those surveyed are opposed to coal power plants.

Climate change campaigner Ian Bruce, who works for the Suzuki foundation, said the two groups are hoping the provincial government will reverse its plan to adopt coal power.

"Clearly, this poll shows, once again, British Columbians reject coal power. They don't want coal power in the province. That's why it's so surprising the B.C. government would look to coal, one of the most polluting sources of electricity."

The poll also suggests most British Columbians want the government to promote conservation and renewable energy sources such as hydro, solar or wind power.

The poll surveyed 601 adults during the last week of November, and the results are considered accurate to within plus or minus four percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

A poll done last year by B.C. Hydro produced similar results.

Energy Minister Richard Neufeld is on holiday and could not be reached for comment.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/01/03/bc-power.html

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