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“This sector is too hot to handle, apparently. So many projects at once clogging the landscape with wind turbines and solar panels.

Rural people are complaining. But angst in the countryside never stopped governments when oil and gas wells dotted the farmland, and you could probably see nighttime natural gas flares from the moon.”

“#Alberta is attracting more investment into green projects than any other province. The #wind blows, the money flows, and we get lucky — again.

First came the long run of oil and natural gas, producing immense wealth. Now, abundant #sunshine and wind, along with infrastructure and deep energy know-how, put us at the very top rank of green energy aspirations in the world.”

“And yet, the government calls a halt to all new applications and approvals until next February.

One stated reason is growing regulatory muddle with the volume of projects.

Exactly the same concerns followed oil and gas wherever they went. That never stopped decades of development, despite the constant background worry about spills, leaks and sour gas blowouts.”

“The great Lodgepole well eruption of 1982 threatened environment and health for 68 days before it was finally capped. But there was no moratorium.

There has never been a sun spill or a wind leak, as far as I know. And yet, we have a moratorium.”

“U of C economics professor Blake Shaffer, who specializes in climate policy and electricity, said on social media: “Still trying to wrap my head around this.

“It’s anti-business. It casts a pall on renewable investment in the province.

“It’s anti-property rights. All deals are done on private land, privately negotiated.”

“But they came out with this big splash. Why is that?

One reason is significant hostility to the #GreenAgenda in the #UCP base. That’s reflected by some members of the UCP’s powerful #RuralCaucus.

The government owes the rural sector for its election win. Now it’s paying, dramatically.”

“Stelmach faced growing rural hostility to the effect of #oilsands operations on roads, services, environment and rural quality of life.

But there was no #moratorium when the problem was #oilandgas .

Now we have the strangest one possible, in large measure because it doesn’t hit the sacred sector.”

And there’s the rub.

Meanwhile… https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/canada-oil-sands-leak-heightens-first-nations-calls-clean-up-tailings-2023-04-27/

@auscandoc

It's in what they drink.

Within the year of his election, the Cheshire cat grin on Doug Ford's face when announcing this is evidence of "promises kept", the good folks of Prince Edward County were told don't worry, we'll bring those windmills down.

Now we are to believe he is a green premier.

#NeverVoteConservative

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5364815