Alberta renewables sector fears politicization of energy as moratorium ends
BNN Bloomberg
A seven-month pause on wind and solar development in Alberta is coming to an end, but some involved in the sector say increased politicization threatens its future growth.
The industry was caught off guard last August by the UCP government's move to impose a temporary moratorium on new wind and solar approvals in the province to give it time to study issues related to land use, reclamation and grid reliability.
That moratorium is set to expire Thursday, after which the government is expected to unveil new rules to guide future wind and solar development in the province.
But Dan Balaban, CEO of Greengate Power Corp., said the government-imposed pause on the renewables sector is just one piece of an increasingly contentious public debate that has left the wind and solar industry feeling like a political football.
