Third NDP Candidate Breaks Ranks And Supports Independent Power Projects

April 28, 2009

Prince George-Valemount NDP candidate Julie Carew has broken ranks with leader Carole James over the NDP's reckless plan to ban new jobs and investment from independent power projects (IPPs), announcing that she supports IPPs.

"So far three NDP candidates have broken ranks with their leader's foolish policy and have seen the wisdom of our policy to support clean energy, rural development and electricity self-sufficiency," says Environment Minister Barry Penner. "I call on other NDP candidates who believe we should encourage clean, green renewable power, rather than relying on dirty coal-fired power from Alberta and the United States to meet our growing electricity needs, to join with us. It is time to reject the NDP's ideological fixation on banning IPPs."

At a Prince George Chamber of Commerce all candidates forum on April 24, Carew stated: "Well I think we need to make it very clear that the NDP does support IPPs."

But the NDP's official platform, on page 23, calls for a full moratorium on IPPs, which would preclude new wind power, geothermal, ocean energy, biomass and run-of-river projects from going ahead. In addition to the negative economic consequences of chasing away green jobs and investment, the NDP's anti-investment strategy has been described as bad for the planet's atmosphere by world-renowned climatologist Dr. Andrew Weaver and bad for BC's rivers by environmental activists like Tzeporah Berman. First Nations have also expressed alarm at the NDP's opposition to projects which offer jobs and opportunity for their members.

The NDP's energy critic stated last month that none of the recently approved projects would have proceeded under a Carole James government. Speaking on CKNW, John Horgan admitted a $150 million, 50 megawatt run-of-river IPP that will create 120 jobs near Lytton was a "good project" but it would never have gone ahead if the NDP were in power: "If we were in power six months ago before they received their approvals it wouldn't have proceeded. That's correct," said Horgan.

Carew is the third NDP candidate to reject her party's position. Columbia River Revelstoke NDP candidate Norm MacDonald expressed support for power proposals at David Thompson Falls and Cedar Creek near Golden. On April 8 this year, Alberni-Pacific Rim NDP candidate Scott Fraser also expressed support for a new 5.5 megawatt IPP on Canoe Creek on Vancouver Island, saying the project reflects that the proponents are "true stewards of the land."

"It's shocking that Carole James and the NDP are opposed to IPPs and their role in moving B.C. to a lower carbon future while creating good paying jobs in rural British Columbia," says Penner. "We believe that British Columbia should be a world leader in alternative energy and that will grow jobs and investment in our province. At a time when every job counts, the NDP plan to reject jobs and investment makes no sense. We simply can't afford the NDP."

More than $2.4 billion has already been invested in independent power projects, creating 1,100 jobs in rural communities. In the 1990s, the NDP actively promoted run-of-river projects and reduced water rental rates to encourage more IPP development. By the time they left office in 2001, 17 run-of-river projects were in operation in B.C.