Background:
Currently, provinces such as Quebec and Manitoba have the potential to develop vast amounts of energy. Developed hydropower is inexpensive, environmentally favorable and sustainable.
Whenever Hydro projects are developed a portion of the power produced is export to the United States. This exportation of power is difficult to reverse or if not impossible to cease if additional power is required for use by Canadians.
As climate changes evolved, it will become increasing important to develop alternate sources of power to facilitate the reverse of use of fossil fuels on the environment.
Action Required:
Develop a clear concise strategy to develop the resources of hydropower in Canada, which includes the economic and environmental benefits of a Canadian power grid.
Recommendation:
That the Liberal Party of Canada, as part of its environmental and economic strategy, encourages the development of a Canadian power grid so that all provinces have access to inexpensive and sustainable electric power.
Liberal Party of Canada (Manitoba)
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The National Policy and Electoral Platform (NPEP) Committee had initiated a review of the current policy process prior to the Spring 2011 federal elections. Part of this review was a pilot exercise for a new resolution format.
The Liberal Party of Canada (Manitoba) Association has piloted a new resolution format based on feedback from previous policy conventions. Your comments on this new format will be greatly appreciated and should be sent to policy@liberal.ca with the subject line “new resolution format”.
I think in Ontario that there will be significant costs for transmission lines from Manitoba or Quebec. Ontario produces nuclear power for about 10 cents per kwh. What would it cost for power from Manitoba or Quebec when the cost of the transmission lines is taken into account?
Nuclear power costs much more than 10 cents per kwh when budget-busting cost overruns are taken into account (estimates are around 22 cents per kwh). And what cost a nuclear accident?
I see no reason why governments should not subsidize transmission lines so that we have access to reliable and clean energy.
Do we know whether it ends up being more profitable overall to export the energy to the U.S. and hence make these projects more financially sustainable?
Currently Newfoundland and Labrador is being forced to build transmission lines under the Straight of Belle Isle, across the island, and across to Nova Scotia. All because Quebec has blocked transmission of power across its territory to protect Hydro Quebec’s profits. We can talk about a National Energy Grid all we want, but it will not be truly national as long as Quebec is allowed to cut off Atlantic Canada from benefitting. I understand this is politically difficult to talk about, given the number of seats in Quebec. But, it needs to be addressed as a nation building initiative that is truly “coast-to-coast-to coast”
More than just hydropower! Let’s develop a national strategy so that we need not depend on the USA.
I don’t think investment in a national power grid is a very good idea – I don’t think the benefit would be worth the cost. Better to invest in micropower options that are green and can power local communities.
The biggest barrier we have to using wind/solar in rural areas is the ability to store the power…ie the battery technology. I propose a Liberal Government would award a large cash prize/grant to any individual or entity that can show they are working on a viable technology that would solve this issue. It is the largest barrier to using green technologies successfully. Why not support our scientists/industry to solve it. If we could develop that technology here we would be lauching a billion dollar industry.
Canada needs a national energy policy to develop energy programs that are in Canadians best interests. The policy and programs have to be backed up by science and engineering. Power generation sources have to be distributed throughout, and we can’t turn our backs on new nuclear generation proojects, especially thorium fuel technology that Canada helped develop decades ago.