CALGARY, AB – British Columbia Premier John Hogan announced his government’s intentions to move forward with the Site C hydroelectric dam. The project has been the focus of heated debate among advocates and opponents of the dam.
The decision has important implications for Western Canada in general, where provinces, including Saskatchewan and Alberta, have ambitious plans to reduce electricity-based GHGs. A more integrated grid can be a powerful tool to help achieve Canada’s climate goals, said Nick Martin, Canada West Foundation policy analyst. Since Site C is set to proceed, it’s time for the western provinces to get serious about interprovincial co-operation in the electricity sector.
“Both Alberta and Saskatchewan are highly dependent on fossil-fuel based electricity and improving electricity trade between provinces can be a key to transitioning off these fuels,” said Martin.
Nick Martin, policy analyst at the Canada West Foundation, is available to comment further on the implications of the Site C decision for the Western electricity grid.
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