Green Party letter to Utilities Commission on Duke Point

Tuesday January 18, 2005

BC Utilities Commission
Rob Pellatt, Commission Secretary
Sent by email: commission.secretary@bcuc.com

Dear Mr. Pellatt,

As leader of the Green Party of British Columbia, I want to reiterate my party’s strong opposition to the proposed Duke Point Power gas-fired power plant.

Approval of this fossil fuel-burning mega-plant is unconscionable when there are economically feasible, renewable energy-based alternatives that can produce the needed electricity without increasing our output of greenhouse gasses.

Wind, solar, tidal and small-scale in-stream hydro projects are half the answer to meeting Vancouver Island’s energy needs. The other half of the solution is conservation of energy which is now wastefully being squandered and the use of “green” heating technologies like solar hot water and geo-exchange systems. These conservation and renewable energy-based alternatives are more economically viable, environmentally responsible and sustainable over the long term.

Canada has signed on to the international Kyoto Accord, committing Canadians to reduce the level of C02 emissions to 10 percent below our 1990 levels. We are already 30 percent above this level.

We will never reach the Kyoto goal, nor slow global warming, if the BC Utilities Commission caves into the pressure from BC Hydro to approve this project.

You have a moral obligation, if not a legal one, to take steps to meet Canada commitment to reduce the use of fossil fuels and help curb global warming.

I implore you to do the right thing and reject this project again. Future generations are counting on you.

Sincerely,
Adriane Carr
Leader of the Green Party of BC

cc: Premier Gordon Campbell, gordon.campbell.mla@leg.bc.ca
Richard Neufeld, Minister of Energy and Mines, richard.neufeld.mla@leg.bc.ca
Mike Hunter, MLA for Nanaimo, mike.hunter.mla@leg.bc.ca

Green Party release