Media Release
For Immediate Release May 5, 2005
( PDF,
116kb)
Liberals Score Last On Sustainable Energy Review
Greens 57%, DRBC 51%, NDP third at 32%, BC Liberals last
at 17%
VICTORIA — The BC Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA)
today released the results of its in-depth evaluation of
the four main political parties’ energy policies.
The evaluation subjected the parties’ election platforms
to a detailed, 34-point review based on nine categories that
included greenhouse gas emissions, fuels and transportation,
fossil fuel production, electricity, building standards,
urban planning, and the hydrogen economy.
“The BC Greens at 57% and the BC Democratic Reform
party at 51% both achieved a very creditable passing grade,” stated
evaluation leader Tom Hackney today. “But the BCNDP
at 32% definitely could do better, while the BC Liberal party
came last with only a 17% score.”
The Liberal’s failing grade came despite receiving
bonus points for explicit acknowledgement of the need for ‘sustainable
environmental management.’ The BCNDP were awarded extra
points for clearly linking greenhouse gas emissions to BC’s
interests and well-being; the Greens won points for consistent
commitment to environmental quality and protection; and the
Democratic Reform for strongly linking environmental issues
to BC’s economic and social well-being.
But the BC Liberal platform scored zero points for its failure
to help reduce BC’s greenhouse gas emissions and its
continuing emphasis on fossil fuel production and use. The
BCNDP also scored zero in depletion of non-renewable resources
and in no support for ‘green’ hydrogen.
Hackney was the co-author with environmental writer Guy
Dauncey of the BCSEA’s recently-released energy policy
paper. Sustainable Energy Policies For British Columbia contains
28 thoughtful and carefully-crafted sustainable energy policies
for the next BC government. By adopting these, BCSEA believes
that BC can become a world leader in sustainable energy use.
Because of the urgency of BC’s energy supply, BCSEA
has declared the coming period the Decade of Transition to
Sustainable Energy. With over 435 members and seven chapters
in Kamloops, Kelowna, the central Interior, Vancouver, Victoria,
Nanaimo and Port Alberni, BCSEA is a strong, well-informed
voice on the need for and advantages of sustainable energy.
Twelve self-evaluation questions on their sustainable energy
policies have been sent to the four political parties. Their
responses will be published by May 12. BCSEA members also
are seeking candidates’ responses to specific questions
on sustainable energy and climate change, and are asking
candidates about their personal Kyoto commitments at public
meetings.
The complete evaluation can be downloaded from the BCSEA
web site at www.bcsea.org/policy
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For more information please contact:
Tom Hackney, (250) 381-4463 thackney@island.net
Guy Dauncey, BCSEA president (250) 881-1304 guydauncey@earthfuture.com
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