Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
harm a great many employed in the conventional energy ield. Second,
although there is a high degree of public support for wind energy, there
is also an increase in NIMBY-opposition in provinces where wind power
is lourishing. Ontario in particular has faced well-organized resistance to
larger wind power projects.
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It merits pointing out that many of the reasons for opposing wind energy
are baseless. For example, fossil fuels are fungible and readily transportable,
so a domestic shift to clean energy would merely allow more domestic fossil
fuel reserves to be exported to overseas markets. herefore, the perceived
threat that alternative energy poses to employment in the conventional
energy sector is without foundation. Similarly, global studies abound which
demonstrate that wind power, once installed in a community, does not pose
the envisaged level of threat to the environment, human health, or com-
munity aesthetics. In fact, research indicates the opposite is true; positive
community perceptions on wind power tend to amplify once projects have
been completed.
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8.4.2 Economic Landscape
Unsurprisingly, in addition to being a valuable source of jobs, the conven-
tional energy sector is also an engine of national wealth. Since 2007 Canada's
energy industry has accounted for over 5% of national GDP, representing
about 20% of all export revenues. In 2009, energy exports amounted to
C$80 billion and the importance of energy revenues to Canada's economy
has actually increased since the 1990s.
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Estimates of Canada's Albertan
oil sands indicate that Canada now possesses the second most reserves of
petroleum in the world (175 billion barrels), behind only Saudi Arabia.
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In addition to oil, Canada possesses sizable natural gas reserves. In short,
Canada is a fossil fuel super power, and this gives rise to political and busi-
ness interests that have a vested inancial interest in opposing any chal-
lenges to the status quo.
It should be noted that enhanced fossil fuel management is increasingly
viewed as a new economic growth area. he Albertan government in par-
ticular has been unequivocal about the need to extract more value from
the fossil fuel value chain.
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his implies that fossil fuel extraction is con-
sidered to be a key foundation for supporting new business opportunities.
Consequently, there is a degree of political sensitivity associated with any
policy shifts that may adversely impact the fortunes of this golden goose.
One the other hand, Canada's abundance of natural resources has some-
what insulated the nation from the recent global economic downturn.
