OTTAWA, Ontario - September 11, 2015. The Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) was pleased to see Wednesday’s platform release from the Green Party of Canada, noting its emphasis on green energy initiatives and the need for federal investment in electricity infrastructure.
“I welcome some of the policy proposals put forward by Ms. May and the Green Party of Canada, as they relate to the electricity sector,” said the Hon. Sergio Marchi, President and CEO of CEA. “While CEA does not concur with all of their positions, her platform will help stimulate and enrich the electricity and energy conversation taking place during the current election campaign.”
The Green Party of Canada platform touches on several recommendations CEA had put forward to federal party leaders. This includes encouraging the purchase of electric vehicles, for which the Green Party will provide incentives through rebates to consumers, investments in electricity infrastructure, such as smart grid technology and clean energy power storage, and the importance of federal-provincial collaboration in developing a Canadian Energy Strategy.
CEA stresses that a balanced and gradual approach to continued reductions in the electricity sector should be the priority. Canada has one of the lowest emitting electricity fleets in the world. Over 80% of electricity generation in Canada is non-emitting, owing to our diverse generation mix that includes nuclear and renewables, and our members aim to reduce carbon emissions even further in the coming years.
Less than 15% of Canadian electricity production is from coal generation, compared to almost 40% in the U.S., and more than 70% of current coal capacity will come offline by 2030. The Canadian electricity sector is expected to reduce GHG emissions by over 40% from 2005 levels by 2020; significantly more than any other sector in Canada.
CEA also strongly disagrees with the Green Party’s long-held position on phasing out and endng subsidies for nuclear power and related technologies. Our members are committed to investing in low and non-emitting technology, including nuclear energy to achieve further reductions.
CEA encourages and welcomes, during the remainder of the federal election, an animated dialogue and debate on energy policy, including the integral component of electricity.