Protesters call for clean energy transition in response to global climate emergency

Many carried signs brandished with calls for clean electricity and for the province to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.

Published Aug 11, 2023 • Last updated 2 hours ago • 3 minute read

REGINA, SASK : August 11, 2023– Protesters stand outside of SaskPower to call on SaskPower to transition to clean electricity in response to global climate crisis on Friday, August 11, 2023 in Regina. KAYLE NEIS / Regina Leader-Post Photo by Kayle Neis /Regina Leader-Post

More than 50 people gathered in front of SaskPower Plaza in downtown Regina on Friday afternoon calling on the Crown corporation to transition to clean energy in response to the growing global climate crisis.

Many brandished signs calling for clean electricity and for the province to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.

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Earlier this year, Premier Scott Moe pledged to meet the net zero goal by 2050 in a new provincial plan.

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“Shame,” booed the crowd when the Saskatchewan Party premier’s plan was brought up by speakers.

Canada, the U.S and the rest of the G7 countries have all committed to net zero electricity by 2035.

“Our publicly owned utilities are unique in Canada, and we have every right to demand their commitment to accelerate the transition of our grid away from fossil fuels,” said a statement from rally organizer Mac Findlay.

Mark Bigland-Pritchard, who runs Low Energy Design Ltd., a company that operates as a consultation firm in energy, environmental assessment, green building and architectural physics, spoke at the rally and said the province needs to abandon plans for new fossil fuel plants and work to phase out existing ones.

“We’ve seen disaster after disaster,” said Bigland-Pritchard. “We need all hands on deck.”

With 2023 being the hottest year on record, climate activists are calling on governments to make rapid decisions before it’s too late.

“I can feel our freedom slowly slipping away,” said rally organizer Sydney Taylor.

While SaskPower claims to be working hard to decarbonize the grid, spokesperson Kathy Young said reaching net zero by 2035 isn’t “feasible technically, logistically or financially.”

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“To reach net zero our company must transform our entire power system — which took almost 95 years to build — in just 12 years,” said Young, adding that SaskPower is on track to lower emissions by at least 50 per cent by 2030 from 2005 levels.

“Saskatchewan has relied on fossil fuel to generate power for decades, so we have a long way to go to reach net zero.”

Young said more than 15,000 Saskatchewan residents have participated in an engagement project that is seeking public input for the Future Supply Plan — 2030 and Beyond.

“We know the decisions we make today will impact how power is made in Saskatchewan for generations,” said Young.

According to SaskPower, wind, solar and hydro generation make up about 34 per cent of the province’s generating capacity today.

Technology advancement and high demand for resources to decarbonize grids are among the barriers governments across the globe are struggling with. Updating power sources can also lead to higher utility costs.

A small modular nuclear reactor is still on the table for the province, but a decision won’t be made until 2029, which climate change activists have called counter-productive as nuclear energy is not renewable.

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Even though the country has felt intense droughts, floods and forest fires this year, many of the protesters seemed optimistic.

“There is still hope for a safer future,” said Findlay.

The rally was supported by Regina Energy Transition, Climate Action Saskatchewan, Wascana Solar Co-operative, Mother Earth Justice Advocates, and others.

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