Sometimes governments must spend for the benefit of all

Re: Guest Column “The ugly climate truth,” April 17

Cheap is nice, but it's not always best. I think that applies to decisions about energy policy as well as to everyday consumer purchases. To get at “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,” we need to think more clearly about whether cheap energy is necessarily best.

Paul McLennan apparently believes the opposite. In a recent column, he uses high electricity prices in Germany and Ontario to argue against government support of wind and solar energy projects.

Mr. McLennan even cites to an article from a very reputable — even slightly progressive — source to support his views. (www.Bloomberg.com/view/arti cles/2014-09-22/germany’s green energy is an expensive success)

But anyone who bothers to read this article (or even just its title) will find it does not, in fact, support Mr. McLennan’s simplistic approach to a complex issue. It concludes that the German government’s support of renewable energy has met its goals. Cheap electricity was not one of them.

Political considerations were important. Natural gas would be a risky import from Russia. Refurbishing aging nuclear facilities would be expensive, uncertain, and unpopular. Refusing to phase out coalfuelled power plants would break a European Union obligation.

Investing in large-scale wind and solar power, however, offered two major advantages to German planners. Largescale implementation would lead to economies of scale, lower prices, and competition to produce improved equipment. This has happened.

In addition, affordable smallscale solar generation would give consumers an alternative to ever-rising prices from Germany's four main energy utilities. This, too, has happened.

German citizens are not, as Mr. McLennan states, embracing solar to escape the high cost of “government supplied energy.” Just the opposite. Government support of solar helps citizens escape the high prices charged by private utilities.

Mr. McLennan admits that “wind and solar are great for a home, business, and school...” I believe Alberta can go much further. Germany has shown that government support can facilitate a mix of energy sources — including renewables — that meets long-term national priorities.

Can Alberta develop a more sustainable mix of energy sources? Of course. Will it happen without government policy and financial involvement? Not if decisions are driven only by market whims, profit motives, and political gain. Will there be a cost? Of course, but cheapest isn't always best.

“Can Alberta develop a more sustainable mix of energy sources? Of course. Will it happen without government policy and financial involvement? Not if decisions are driven only by market whims, profit motives, and political gain.”

David Gue Medicine Hat