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B.C. Energy Minister dragging province towards dirty powerJuly 28, 2006 - For immediate release VANCOUVER –Yesterday’s announcement by Richard Neufeld, B.C. Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, that the province will generate power from coal – one of the most polluting forms of generating electricity – will cause smog and damage human health, says the David Suzuki Foundation. “Coal-fired plants are incredibly polluting, they cause smog, global warming, and are harmful to our health,” says Ian Bruce, climate change specialist with the David Suzuki Foundation. “While jurisdictions around the world are trying to shut down coal plants because of health concerns, B.C. wants to open them. We should be adopting conservation measures and clean renewable energy to protect B.C. and our quality of life for the future,” says Mr. Bruce. Figures released in B.C. Hydro’s list of newly awarded electricity contracts show that as much as 28 per cent of new electricity generation will rely on coal-fired projects. This decision also means that B.C. will miss out on the incredible opportunities available in renewable energy. “B.C. claims it is striving to be a world leader in environmental management, yet the Energy Minister is looking to generate one-third of new electricity from the dirtiest and most polluting source of electricity in the world.” B.C. has a wealth of renewable energy resources such as a world class wind potential, and we have only scratched the surface, says Mr. Bruce. Coal power produces massive amounts of greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide, the main culprit behind global warming. In 2005, B.C. passed regulations that allowed coal power plants to emit 300 times more sulphur dioxides per unit of electricity produced than the gas-fired Sumas 2 project near Abbotsford. Sumas 2 was strongly opposed by the B.C. government on the grounds that it would cause more pollution. A poll commissioned by B.C. Hydro last year shows that 74% of British Columbians oppose coal-fired electricity. -END- For more information contact: Ian Bruce
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