Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2007 12:17:45 -0800
From: Scott Frederick <scott451@gmx.net>
Subject: [KCUTS] Sierra Club BC Press Release: Turning Down the Heat
Hello Kootenaycuts,
For immediate release—February 27, 2007
Turning Down the Heat: Will B.C.’s Energy Plan Work?
Victoria, B.C.—The Sierra Club of BC welcomes renewable energy and
conservation measures in B.C.’s new Energy Plan, but is concerned
about the move to increase oil and gas development.
“We are pleased to hear that the provincial government will tap into
B.C.’s significant renewable energy potential and set conservation
targets for BC Hydro,” said Campaigns Director Lisa Matthaus.
“However, it’s not clear whether the gains made by these initiatives
will be lost to emissions from an increasingly subsidized oil and gas
sector.”
The Sierra Club is extremely concerned about the government’s
intentions to increase oil and gas development and to persuade the
federal government to lift its moratorium on offshore oil and gas
development and tanker traffic in B.C.’s inshore waters.
“It is inconsistent to promote energy conservation measures if, at
the same time, we are busy increasing our emissions from the
heavily-subsidized oil and gas sector,” said Executive Director
Kathryn Molloy. “This is why B.C. needs a comprehensive plan for how
we will meet province-wide emissions reductions targets.”
Seventy-five percent of British Columbians remain opposed to offshore
oil and gas development and tanker traffic. “Why would we flirt with
potential ecological disaster and increase our greenhouse gas
emissions at the same time?” asked Molloy.
Matthaus said the provincial government must legislate greenhouse gas
emission reduction targets for 2020, along with an interim target
between now and then.
“Binding, province-wide targets will force us to look at whether
gains made by British Columbians through energy conservation are
simply lost to oil and gas development, road building or other
sectors,” said Matthaus.
Molloy said the Sierra Club looks forward to seeing a “Transportation
Plan” for B.C. that reveals how carbon emissions will be slashed in
that sector, currently responsible for 40 percent of B.C.’s greenhouse
gas emissions. Transportation initiatives were notably absent from
the Energy Plan.
-30-
Contact:
Kathryn Molloy, Executive Director: (250) 386-5255 ext. 232, (cell) 882-1645
Lisa Matthaus, Campaigns Director: (250) 888-6267
Sarah Cox, Communications Director: (250) 386-5255 ext. 257, (cell) 812-1762
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Only 808 organising days until the next BC provincial election.
Best regards,
Scott mailto:scott451@gmx.net
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