It seems that many Liberals and Tories are very "green" these days. Federal politicians in green ties - shirts - and suits parading their dedication to "green" for any camera wanting a shot.
We know the NDP and the Green Party have serious policies on "green" - we also know the EU and even the Americans are gone "green" nuts.
They are speaking about "green" money (in a non-traditional sense) R&D madness - hydrogen - waves - winds - tide - and sun - all replacing the culprit - fossil fuel.
Every developed nation and and unions of countries are clamoring to be the "greenest" of the lot. Corporations are running here and there trying to lay claim to some "green" energy - lessening the future burden of penalties and unpredictable prices.
Green and Renewable - that's the future - this centuries industrial (r)evolution. Even Exxon is taking the plunge and looking "green".
Is it a stretch to imagine that energy hungry industry (even with technological advances) will be actively seeking those "green" solutions? Is it a stretch to imagine that increasingly costly oil and gas - security of supply - OPEC's continued dominance - will drive companies to seek "green" energy with a more realistic hope of meeting cost projections. What's good for the shareholders is great for the Board and Senior Executives.
Having said all that - what's the likelihood that Newfoundland and Labrador is a great potential for this future (in the works now) opportunity? Very likely! Unless we ship that best potential to other jurisdictions! Where will the jobs be then? How many Labradorians does it take to export Lower Churchill power? How many Labradorians will be exported with the power?
If we could not predict in the sixties what would happen to the price of oil - must we therefore necessarily miss the obvious this time?
1 comment:
I think it's great that after a whole generation (or more)of effort on the part of true environmentalists that issue has finally (hopefully not too late) gotten to be the number one issue in this country. This can bode well for the country and the planet if they all went honestly 'green'. The Green Party, of course, was always 'green'. The NDP has for a long time had a good 'green' outlook. The Liberals, for the last while, have talked a good green policy but haven't really delivered. Mind you to give Dion, as Minister, the benefit of the doubt probably couldn't sway the whole government very quickly - as Anderson before him couldn't either. We can give credit to Dion for making the environment central to his leadership campaign thereby bringing it to the fore of a party who has a shot at forming a government at least within the next few years (if not this year). Even if he does lead a party that is still somewhat soiled from it's recent past. I can't for one second buy the Harper's Conservatives sudden switch to a green agenda. Most surely that is a shameless attempt to woo more voters. Integrity?
As for Grand River electricity? I also don't think for one second that the Provincial Tories are even concerned with Labradorian's wishes or desires, or whether the electricity is green (environmentally friendly) or not. The concern is only whether someone will buy the power because it can be sold as 'green'. There is a difference.
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