New report-“Dire Consequences: Destroying Alberta’s Affordable Power Advantage”
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Supplementary Data/Graphs
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Affordable energy is an Alberta Advantage, one we have enjoyed for years, thanks to an abundant, high-quality coal supply (which Albertans own), willing investors, responsible industry and ever-improving, sensible air quality regulations and mitigation techniques.
Energy runs through every aspect of modern society. Reliable, safe, low-cost energy enables our robust health, our economic well-being, and high environmental standards.
We challenge the claims of the Alberta government and anti-coal activist advisors like the Pembina Institute and their recent report “Breathing in the Benefits.” The problem with affordable, reliable energy is like the Joni Mitchell song: “…you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.”
However, if the Alberta NDP government is going to make drastic changes to the electrical power system, the public should be well informed of the facts prior to agreeing to change a system that is working well and providing reliable, affordable power. Is the claim of improved air quality and reduced costs justified based on the evidence? Will we face the dire consequences of energy poverty, industrial collapse, and burdensome taxes as we have seen in Ontario, the UK, and the EU?
Most importantly, does Alberta have a crucial air quality problem and if so, is coal the primary contributing factor?
Our review of Alberta Health Services data from Primary Care Network reports indicates that the claims of Pembina Institute and its anti-coal allies are not supported by the evidence. Our review of international and provincial patient studies shows that health problems and premature deaths increase when there is a lack of affordable, reliable power. Accelerated coal phase-out and a rush-to-renewables have put the UK at risk of blackouts, created socio-economic and health problems, and burdened industry.
Is that what we want for Alberta?
Reblogged this on 4timesayear's Blog.
I can’t seem to see your review? Can you point it out on your website? Has the Alberta population had much in the way of unaffordable and unreliable power? Are you looking at the cause-effect trends of poverty and health instead? Yes, our air quality is very poor in Edmonton; and, at times, it’s worse than Toronto.
There is a link at the top of the page to the report, and below it a Supplementary document with air quality screen shots. Click the links and the documents will open as a pdfs. Edmonton has better air quality than much of the province and asthma rates in Edmonton are lower than many other places in Alberta. Edmonton has a few bad days in winter due to inversions – closing coal-fired power stations won’t stop that. Check the supplementary data for sources of emissions that are right in Edmonton, and the ground source (transportation) emissions are significant in the ‘Gateway to the North” – a transportation hub.
If you still can’t load the file, send an email to media (at) friendsofscience.org and we will send you the document. Thank you.
THIS ALL MAKES PERFECT SENSE TO ME — IF IT AIN’T BROKE, DON’T FIX IT –ESPECIALLY WHERE CANADA HAS SUCH A LOW FOOTPRINT NOW, AND COAL HAS ALL THOSE FILTERS ON THE DISCHARGE,ETC AND CO2 IS BEING RECAPTURED, I AM TOLD, AND WITH OUR MASSIVE BOREAL FOREST THAT CLEANS THE AIR EVEN MORE!!! WHILE TRUDEAU WANTS TO WHIP US DOWN WITH AN IDIOTIC CARBON TAX AND NUTLEY NO BETTER AND RUINING ALBERTA, CHINA AT 25% CARBON FOOTPRINT –THIS IS WRONG FROM EVERY ANGLE TO WHIP DOWN CANADA AND ALBERTA TO MAKE THESE POLITICIANS LOOK GOOD AND THEN THEY ACT LIKE THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING COMMENDABLE TO PLEASE A FEW ENVIRONMENTALISTS. I LOVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND WANT TO PROTECT IT TOO –BUT THERE IS ALWAYS A BETTER WAY AND I DON’T THINK THESE POLITICIANS KNOW WHAT THE HELL THEY ARE DOING – EXCEPT TO MAKE US PAY FOR THEIR CASH COW AND THEY THINK IT MAKES THEM LOOK GOOD AND GETS THEM VOTES. 2 SIDES TO EVERY STORY — I DON’T LIKE THE NDP/LIEBERAL STORY. . OUR FAMILY DOES NOT AGREE WITH EITHER OF THEM !!! WE ARE MILES AHEAD OF EVERYONE ELSE ALREADY –IN THE WORLD – THANKS FOR POSTING THIS.