Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has offered conflicting explanations for why her government put a temporary ban on large wind and solar energy projects.
In this file photo, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith appears at a luncheon hosted by the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce on July 20, 2023.
"The Alberta Utilities Commission asked us to do a pause while we figured out how we could deal with end-of-life reclamation. The issue was further confused Monday when Smith, pressed by reporters on the contradiction between her statements and the letters, repeated that the Utilities Commission had indeed asked for the pause.
Smith's government has cited the July 21 Utilities Commission letter as a springboard to take action, yet the AESO letter indicates that by July 21, the government had already decided to impose the moratorium.The office of Utilities Minister Nathan Neudorf, in a statement, suggested the government was not acting on the letters alone.
Smith said Monday it should have been obvious that drastic action was coming, given she spoke publicly in the spring about whether renewable energy was sufficiently backstopped by natural gas and also expressed concern over farmland being taken up by renewables projects. The moratorium applies to wind and solar power projects greater than one megawatt. The Utilities Commission is to hold an inquiry into issues of development on agricultural land, effect on scenery, reclamation security, the role of municipalities and system reliability.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
ANALYSIS | Assessing Danielle Smith's latest reasons for pausing Alberta wind and solar, to the letterThe premier insists two provincial agencies requested the freeze in letters, but she may want to reread those letters herself, because they don't say what she insisted they say.
Read more »
Farms across the province sharing their stories in Alberta Open Farm DaysWatch Farms across the province sharing their stories in Alberta Open Farm Days Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca
Read more »
Surge in surrendered pets straining Alberta's shelter capacityAn increasing number of cats and dogs are being abandoned, either discarded at shelters or dumped in the streets, taking a toll on rescue workers and escalating fears that unwanted animals will face neglect.
Read more »
Alberta puts moratorium on approvals of large renewable energy projectsWatch Alberta puts moratorium on approvals of large renewable energy projects Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca
Read more »
5 new record highs set in southern Alberta amid sizzling hot weatherFive communities in southern Alberta set new weather records on Monday amid the blistering heat.
Read more »
Inflation edges higher in July, Alberta's energy prices major factor: Stats CanadaCanada's annual inflation rate crept up to 3.3 per cent in July, pushed higher in part by high energy prices.
Read more »