Bruce MacKinnon's editorial cartoon for Oct. 26, 2019.Does the federal government have a plan that will produce enough green energy to displace oil and gas? Vilifying oil companies and taxing their customers is not a plan.Those regimes are unmoved by protest stunts such as the “Stop Oil Now” adolescents throwing tomato soup at famous artworks.
When he reluctantly approved the Bay Du Nord development in offshore Newfoundland and Labrador, federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault assured opponents that it will become increasingly difficult for companies to gain approval for future oil projects. A week ago, Guilbeault and activists lashed out at oil companies for their big profit increases resulting from the higher global prices. Those price increases would have been smaller if he was not so busy suppressing supply. This is only going to get worse.
Wind and solar are the primary technologies being touted. Both are intermittent sources that cannot be turned up and down at will. Balancing sources are needed. Hydroelectric and nuclear power are the two main candidates. Batteries are expensive, toxic, and cannot provide the necessary scale. That would point to a population increase of over 25 per cent between now and 2035, and a corresponding increase in the demand for energy for existing uses. That is the year after which Canada and others plan to forbid the sale of carbon-fuelled vehicles.
In a perfect world, the federal government would publish a continuously updated forecast of what green energy projects are underway or planned, and how they compare to the amount that will be needed each year until 2035, reflecting population growth and broadening uses. If such a plan exists, it has missed the notice of this observer.