The article by David Suzuki in the Oct. 14 Citizen is a timely reminder that we must get ourselves out of the fossil fuel trap, and that approving more fossil fuel infrastructure projects like Steelhead LNG and the PNW LNG is the wrong thing to do.
He stresses that new research confirms that we must leave fossil fuel resources in the ground if we are to avoid the climate catastrophe that will occur if we exceed 1.5 C of warming. To avoid passing this threshold, we must urgently undertake the research and development needed to replace these damaging energy sources. We must also provide incentives to industry and ordinary folks to make the switch to greener energy choices, and fund training for those displaced by a dying fossil fuel industry to be retrained for the many new jobs that will be created by the switch to a more climate friendly economy.
However, if investment capital is tied up in building LNG plants and pipelines, it will not be available to fund these alternatives. PNWLNG is estimated to cost $36 billion, and Steelhead LNG is estimated at $30 billion. That money would buy a lot of solar panels or insulation or research in tidal energy or transportation alternatives.
Moreover, the $3.3 billion a year in tax breaks that the federal government alone gives the fossil fuel industry is also not available to fund these much less polluting alternatives.
We must all urge our elected representatives to make wise choices on our behalf, and reject any new fossil fuel projects or infrastructure.
Nancy Clegg
Cowichan Bay