Press Conference – at 10:00am on Tuesday, June 14th at the Saint John Free Public Library, 1 Market Square, Saint John
The Energy Future is now. The rapid expansion of clean energy and building efficiency will create large numbers of local and lifetime jobs across this province.
A coalition of New Brunswick groups kick off the start of their clean energy and efficiency summit by asking Premier Brian Gallant to create a government department called RenewNB. Set up as a public investment fund, it would oversee the use of a $20/Ton carbon tax revenue to create a massive job creation program by investing into clean energy and building efficiency programs. This investment strategy would create 15,000 – 20,000 lifetime jobs, eventually wipe out NB Power debt, and generate over $2 Billion in extra revenue for the province once the transition to a low carbon economy is complete.
The following will be included at the head table:
– Mark D’Arcy, Council of Canadians – Fredericton chapter
– Garth Hood, certified Passive House consultant in Fredericton
– Sharon Murphy, Team EcoHealth
– Serge Plourde, Vice President-at-large, CUPE NB
– Chris Rouse, Saint John
– David Thompson, Saint John
– Dr. Paula Tippett, Council of Canadians – Saint John chapter
We invite you to our press conference at 10:00am on Tuesday, June 14th at the Saint John Free Public Library, 1 Market Square, Saint John
Update
SAINT JOHN – A coalition of New Brunswick groups kick off the start of their clean energy and efficiency summit by asking Premier Brian Gallant to create a government department called RenewNB. Set up as a public investment fund, it would oversee the use of a $20/Ton carbon tax revenue to create a massive job creation program by investing into clean energy and building efficiency programs. This investment strategy would create 15,000 – 20,000 lifetime jobs, eventually wipe out NB Power debt, and generate over $2 Billion in extra revenue for the province once the transition to a low carbon economy is complete.
“A $20/Ton carbon tax would initially generate $300 million/year to be invested into public energy programs. Instead of giving the money away to private corporations in subsidies, or using the money for general revenue, this money would be transparently invested into publicly-owned renewable energy projects for the benefit of all New Brunswickers. The electricity generated by these projects would then earn 7 cents per kilowatt hour (7cents/kwh) from NB Power, and this revenue that would be reinvested once again by RenewNB. This is less than NB Powers current total cost of 9.1 cents/kwh, so it will help keep rates low and stable.” said Chris Rouse
“Reinvesting profits back into growth is the hallmark of any good business, and the same principles as a well invested RRSP. This would result in a near doubling of the initial $300 million per year to $565 million per year in just 10 years without any additional rate increases. This is due to compound interest.” adds Rouse.
“The concept of reinvesting in environmentally-friendlier energy production and energy efficiency to create a compound interest effect is founded economic theory,” University of New Brunswick economist Rob Moir told Rouse. Dr. Moir said the approach “should be considered by all provinces and not only New Brunswick.”
“CUPE’s National Environmental policy calls for a rapid expansion of clean, renewable and energy delivered by the public sector,” says Serge Plourde, CUPE NB. “Canada must take a leadership role on climate change and help push the world to a brighter, more sustainable future, by moving to a green economy.”
“A flagship project for RenewNB would be to celebrate the centennial of our public utility, NB Power, with investing in the refurbishment of the Musquash Generating Station,” says Saint John resident and retired Fundy Baykeeper David Thompson. “New Brunswick Electric Power Company was originally created in 1920 to build the Musquash dam. All the dams, roads, power line, and west branch water tunnel are already in place. “
“It has been proven, including with New Brunswick examples, that investing energy efficiency in buildings is cost effective and usually the least costly building option – when future energy savings are considered. An energy efficient building will use more local labour & materials, creating more local jobs.” says Garth Hood, a certified Passive House consultant in Fredericton.
“It is not fair to our underemployed workers to delay this huge job creation opportunity any longer,” says Mark D’Arcy, a member of the Fredericton chapter of the Council of Canadians. “Our world leaders decided in Paris last year that we will limit the effects of global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and it is time we all get to work fulfilling that commitment.”
The Clean Energy East Summit is being held at the Saint John Free Public Library, 1 Market Square on Tuesday, June 14th (10am-4pm) and Wednesday June 15 (12noon-4pm).
The Left Eye 