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“These are large industrial developments, and the reclamation costs are going to be substantial,” he said.Across rural Alberta, concerns are growing about the long-term implications of the province’s renewable energy boom — the speed and scale of which has been nothing short of stunning. But while many in rural Alberta welcome the economic activity, and farmers and ranchers enjoy the extra income that playing host to solar panels or wind turbines can bring, others are sounding the alarm.
What we've learned, and what Albertans have learned, is that the cheapest way to get out of reclamation is going bankrupt“What we’ve learned, and what Albertans have learned, is that the cheapest way to get out of reclamation is going bankrupt,” said Paul McLauchlin, president of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta.
But there’s no equivalent for the renewable energy industry, though renewable energy companies are required to provide an overview of how they plan to cover decommissioning and reclamation costs before they can receive the go-ahead for their project.
Schneider said, “These are large industrial developments, and the reclamation costs are going to be substantial,” he said. “We can see the warning signs, and we are being ignored.” Valid concern. Ask, what happens when the tax payer subsidized power agreements run out?