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Renewable Energy, Not More Fossil Gas Power

This just makes no sense, folks.

That's one thing I added to the Climate Action Team's letter to the Manitoba government. 

According to a friend's back of the envelop math -- so of course it's possible something is missing/miscalculated/misunderstood -- for only about $1 billion, the government could subsidize insulating homes to a degree that would reduce energy demand to the degree this plans to scale it up.

Add to that the fact that clean energy's star is rising as fast as fossil fuel's is tanking (Check out Max Fawcett's piece in Canada's National Observer), and it's impossible not to conclude the decision makers are either intentionally idiotic and ill-informed or maliciously pursuing interests that have to do with enormous short term financial gain and zero benefit to the general population. 

So, take a look at this letter and please send a version of it yourself. 

Thanks, Climate Action Team Manitoba! 

I am writing today to voice my strong concern regarding your government’s decision to build a new $3 billion fossil gas-fired power plant.

$3 billion? For fossil fuels?? And nothing at all for solar, wind, district heat, heat pumps, etc.?

It's ludicrous: building new fossil fuel infrastructure that will fuel the climate crisis and keep us reliant on imported fossil gas from Alberta for decades to come is unacceptable.

I strongly urge you to reconsider and instead invest in reliable renewable sources of electricity. Besides causing less damage to the world we live in, besides often being less expensive in the long run, they also contribute to energy sovereignty at a moment when that probably matters more than we think.

My main concerns with a new gas-fired power plant are: 

  • It expands fossil fuel use during an era of climate emergency. After a summer of devastating wildfires, it is clearer now than ever that we are in a climate crisis, and we need to get off fossil fuels as quickly as possible. Manitobans like myself want a government that takes climate action seriously, and this project contradicts the rhetoric your government gives re climate solutions and moves us in the wrong direction.
  • It is a waste of public money and worsens affordability. We entrust the government to use public funds wisely, and spending $3 billion on a new fossil gas plant, that is only supposed to turn on for a few days per year, does exactly the opposite. With creative thinking and planning ahead, there are so many other ways we could address this problem, starting with a massive push to superinsulate homes. 

Manitoba should be investing to capitalize on its solar and wind resources, paired with battery storage and energy efficiency programs. These solutions are proven, reliable, and have seen dramatic cost reductions in recent years. They are being scaled up in countries around the world, and it's time for Manitoba to get on board. 

Invest in renewables, energy storage, and electricity-demand reductions, instead of new fossil fuel power. Our air, water, communities, and future generations are worth protecting.

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