EDMONTON, AB – Environmental groups and landowners, alongside major utility companies, are opposing an application by Capital Power to renege on a legal obligation to offset more than half its greenhouse gas emissions from the new Genesee 3 power plant.
If the Alberta Utilities Commission agrees to allow Capital Power to no longer honour this commitment the company will cease to offset 1.34 MT of greenhouse gas emissions annually, the equivalent of putting 224,000 cars on the road.
Coal-fired electricity is responsible for 22 per cent of global warming pollution in Alberta, exceeding the emissions from the oilsands. This application comes at a time when other jurisdictions in Canada are responding to the urgent need to cut greenhouse gas emissions and are phasing out the use of coal to generate power.
"At a time when Alberta desperately needs to demonstrate leadership on environmental issues, this would be a huge step backwards," said Chris Severson-Baker, Pembina Institute policy director.
"It would also send a clear message to Albertans that promises made by corporations at Alberta Utilities Commission hearings designed to win public support for new industrial developments can be broken at any time when those promises become inconvenient."
Two utility companies, ATCO Power Canada Ltd. and Encana Corporation, are set to also appear at the Alberta Utilities Commission hearing on Thursday in Edmonton to oppose Capital Power's application.
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Hearing time and location:
The Alberta Utilities Commission hearing into the Capital Power Genesee 3 Power Plant Approval No. U2010-32
Location: Edmonton hearing room, 12th floor, 10055 106 Street, Edmonton
Start Time: Thursday, May 28, 9:00 a.m.
End Time: Thursday, May 28, 5:00 p.m.
Download: Backgrounder on Capital Power application
Contact:
Chris Severson-Baker
Policy Director, Pembina Institute
Cell: 403-899-7423
Phone: 403-269-3344 ext. 101
David Dodge
Director of Communications, Pembina Institute
Cell: 780-232-6162
Phone: 780-701-7196
