Alberta’s green groups hopeful

in Edmonton

Green groups expect much from the New Democrats who painted Alberta orange Tuesday. “There’s been a commitment for Alberta to be a leader in protecting our environment, and we’re very much looking forward to followthrough,” said Carolyn Campbell of the Alberta Wilderness Association.

Premier-designate Rachel Notley spoke often on environmental issues when she was in opposition, and environmentalists say they’ ll hold her to those positions.

In her first news conference Wednesday, Notley said climate change will be among the first issues to come up.

“I’m going to be meeting with public servants and getting briefed on the critical issues the government has before it. I suspect that will be one of them,” she said.

That’s good news, said Ed Whittingham of the Pembina Institute, a clean energy think-tank.

“I think their first move is a credible plan to tackle climate change. The current approach that Alberta’s been taking has been far too weak,” he said.

The previous Tory government had promised a plan this June. Whittingham said Notley should at least keep to that timetable.

That strategy should also include a new, higher price on carbon and a plan to phase out coal-fired power generation, Whittingham said.

The new government also needs to live up to its promises to promote renewable power, Mike Hudema of Greenpeace said.

“We expect that they will move to support the growth of renewable energy in the province,” he said, “and that they will also look at ways to tackle the rampant emissions from the tarsands as well.”