Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
technologies. In fact, the Canadian government has not really been signii-
cantly involved in championing an energy technology since its involvement in
the development of a nuclear power program at the tail end of World War II.
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Enumerating just a few of the federal government's energy technology
support initiatives since 2004 highlights how phlegmatic federal support
has been. he recent centerpiece of government support for research in
energy technology is a clean energy fund that was established in 2006-
2007, which earmarked C$800 million to be spent over ive years on sup-
porting clean energy research. he bulk of this funding has gone to support
CCS pilot projects. In regard to renewable energy, the government currently
manages a C$25 million Market Incentive Program (MIP), which encour-
ages residential consumers and small businesses to adopt renewable energy
technologies. It has also earmarked C$30 million for development and dem-
onstration of decentralized energy systems and C$30 million for supporting
adoption of renewable energy systems in aboriginal communities. he most
recent investment has been a C$10 million program to support tidal energy
research in Atlantic Canada. he only signiicant federal program designed
for supporting wind power (aside from the WPPI) has been the develop-
ment of a Canadian wind energy atlas.
On the surface, a C$800 million research program may not appear to be
insigniicant. However, given that 20% of all of Canada's export revenue
comes from energy exports of some kind, C$800 million is a lackluster com-
mitment to technological innovation for such a strategically important
industry. his is less than what the government paid for four used diesel
submarines purchased from the British government in 1998.
8.8 WHAT TO EXPECT GOING FORWARD
In terms of directly shaping market development, leadership is not likely to
come from the central government in Canada, especially under the Harper
administration, which tends to prefer leaving solutions to the free market.
On the other hand, the Harper administration is on record as targeting 90%
of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020.
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his is not as bold
as it sounds given that the nation is starting from a foundation featuring a
62% contribution from hydroelectric power. Nevertheless, it is not unrea-
sonable to expect the federal government to play an increasingly active role
in trying to at least enhance collaboration between the provinces.
As climate change concerns become more apparent and public pressure
mounts, the provinces can be expected to adopt increasingly robust renew-
able energy programs. Given the commercial attractiveness of wind power,
