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Foote encourages government to move forward with wind power projects August 23, 2006 |
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Judy Foote, Opposition Critic for Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
and MHA for the District of Grand Bank, is encouraging government to focus
their efforts on developing more wind power projects in the province. Foote
referenced projects such as St. Lawrence that have undergone detailed
preliminary work, but have been placed on hold by government. "There are many areas of the province that would benefit from wind power projects," said Ms. Foote. "Last week, the Mayor of Labrador City encouraged government to place more focus on developing wind projects to generate electricity in his area. While I understand government is currently developing its Energy Plan, this process has been ongoing for almost three years and has placed most wind projects on hold indefinitely. The province has delayed long enough, it is now time to move forward with this technology. "When the previous Liberal government was in power, our focus was on developing clean, renewable energy sources such as wind. Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro was working with a private investor near St. Lawrence to research the feasibility and potential of wind power in the province. All information pointed towards a significant and feasible project, however, these activities have since been placed on hold by government. "Not only would wind power create a clean and environmentally friendly energy source, it would develop new opportunities for rural areas of our province. Many feel wind turbines would become a tourist attraction, and the building of the infrastructure for these turbines would employ local people and generate new business opportunities for rural communities. "For the Burin Peninsula, which is suffering from an idle shipyard facility and FPI plant closures, a project in St. Lawrence would benefit the local economy. The possibility of fabricating wind turbines locally in Marystown would certainly provide new opportunities for an already skilled and world class workforce. This situation appears to be a win-win for everyone. The people of the province get a clean energy source to cut down on pollution and the burning of expensive oil at Holyrood, while at the same time providing new economic benefits to regions of our province that are currently suffering from the inaction of this government."
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