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Anti-nuclear effort launches campaign |
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Written by Caroline Zentner LETHBRIDGE HERALD
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Monday, September 14 2009, 8:52 PM |
A province-wide campaign launched Monday is urging Albertans to speak out against nuclear power and speak up for green, renewable energy.
The provincial government is expected to set policy on nuclear energy before the fall sitting of the legislature ends. The Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta (CNFA) started its Green Energy Campaign to ensure government gets the message to keep Alberta nuclear free right from the get-go.
In the foyer of city hall, local members of Greensence (Lethbridge), a citizens’ group promoting a green environment that doesn’t include nuclear power, told local media about the campaign.
“Green power makes real good sense,” said Tom Cain, co-chairman of Greensence (Lethbridge). “We should have it all across Alberta and we should not invest in nuclear power. We should use Heritage (Fund) money to invest in green renewable energy and follow the lead of Lethbridge city council and have that go all over the province.”
Greensence approached city council in May urging council to ask the Alberta government to broaden its consultations on nuclear energy by establishing a similar consultation process for renewable energy.
“We’ve taken a very strong stand asking the provincial government to set up an expert panel looking at how we can maximize opportunities for alternative energy,” said Mayor Bob Tarleck, adding city council has not taken a position on nuclear energy. “We’re also one of the founding members of the Southern Alberta Alternative Energy Partnership and the mission of that is to make southwest Alberta a world leader in terms of alternative energy. We have huge resources of wind, sun, geothermal and biomass and we need to build a balanced program on that. I think we have the alternative option not only to serve this region well but to become a beacon for the rest of Alberta.”
The green ribbon campaign culminates with a march on the legislature Oct. 27 at noon coinciding with the start of the fall session. Greensence members from Lethbridge will join up with other groups from CNFA to tell government not to proceed with nuclear power and to invest in green energy.
“We invest oodles in the tar sands and that gets us a bad reputation in the world,” he said. “It’s time to get a good reputation for being pro-green and southern Alberta has already been doing it for six years. We could expand it if we had a couple of billion dollars or so put into it.”
Greensence member Mark Sandilands said green power is cheaper than nuclear power when costs of construction, decommissioning a plant and dealing with radioactive tailings are included. Oil and gas have been part of the Alberta fabric for decades and could be used to build a greener future.
“Gas and oil is running out and it won’t last forever so we need to bridge to that,” Sandilands said. “Furthermore, these (hydrocarbon) molecules are useful for building things. Why are we burning them? It’s shortsighted thinking, it’s money in the pocket now rather than saving for the future.”
And neither the economy nor the environment has to be sacrificed in creating a green future, said Ian McKenna, Greensence member. Building a fast rail system between Calgary and Edmonton and cleaning up the oilsands are just two examples of green jobs, he said.
Green ribbons are available at Ascent Cycle at 330 18 St. S., Round Street Cafe at 427 5 St. S. and the Guesthouse Restaurant just off Crowsnest Trail. People can also call their MLA to ask him to take the message to Minister of Energy Mel Knight. More information is online at www.greenalberta.wordpress.com.
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