Francis Plourde

Even though I like BC’s green reputation, there’s nothing I like more than reading about how this reputation is exaggerated.

Thanks to the Tyee, I can always count on juicy stories to fill this blog. And guess what? They also like showing how BC’s green reputation is exaggerated.

The Tyee released today a story about concerns related to the new energy plan.

As it appears, some environmentalists are worried that the government is going to boost the oil and gas sector.

And it’s true. The plan aims to make BC among the most competitive oil and gas jurisdictions in North America. The environmentalists associate it with increasing overall emissions. To give you a figure, the oil and gas sector is already contributing to 18 per cent of the total emissions.

I agree that this decision doesn’t seem to fit well with the Premier’s green goals. I understand their concerns about subsidies being given to the oil and gas industry while the green plan still doesn’t get funding.

At the same time, the province’s economy is largely based on its natural resources. A transition period has to be taken into account. I’m wondering if at this point, the environmentalists are really helping their cause.

Moreover, some environmentalists also complain about the Site C dam proposal. (I wrote about the Site C dam proposal earlier this month.) Opponents argue it would cause serious social and environmental harm.

At many levels, they have really good proposals, but their solutions are perhaps a little bit too utopist. They don’t seem to take into account that there’s no perfect solution. Every decision taken at an energy level will have a negative consequence on the environment.

Alternative sources of energy are necessary. But they can’t provide all the energy we need at this point. Can someone remind them that?