Regina should be a renewable energy leader
The choice is clear for a number of beneficial reasons, says Garth Pickard
This month, the City of Regina has an opportunity to be a world leader.
On Oct. 29, city council will vote on a proposed Renewable City Strategy, which would provide a roadmap to fuel our city, 100 per cent, through renewable energy sources by 2050.
Like a fish bowl for the world to see, the city has an opportunity to demonstrate that it understands the importance of sustaining the economic and physical health and well-being of all its citizens, over the long term, by moving forward with a renewable energy plan that benefits us all.
Why is this important?
For one, it’s a huge economic opportunity.
The Renewable City Strategy motion being put forward on Oct. 29 has the potential to become a staple of Regina’s — and Saskatchewan’s — economy, alongside crucial staples such as potash and agriculture. Experts have predicted that by 2030, there will be as many as 24 million jobs worldwide in renewable energy.
Second, there are the numerous direct benefits to citizens’ everyday lives. Going renewable means less reliance on coal, a situation which is better for our collective health. And with international experts predicting that renewables will be the cheapest energy sources as early as 2020, individual households stand to save money too! (Did you know that since 2010, the cost of solar has decreased by 73 per cent and the cost of wind has fallen 23 per cent?)
Third, Regina is ideally positioned to become a renewable energy production and innovation hub. It turns out we have an extremely high potential for solar and wind generation, receiving as much sunlight as Sydney, Australia.
Plus, we are home to a university, a polytechnic, numerous strong economic development engines and the home base of the provincial government. Local organizations such as Economic Development Regina, the Chamber of Commerce and a host of non-profits could help activate the economic, research, training and technological potential behind becoming a renewable energy leader in Western Canada and the world.
The City of Regina’s size and people offer a perfect “living laboratory” to see such a strategy to come to life. This would be a transformational step, reinforcing the power of thinking local-toglobal, and the importance of doing what is sensible and morally right for future generations.
So, why is it important that we seize this opportunity now?
Simply put, now is the time we choose to be a leader or laggard. The world is moving toward renewable energy and greater energy efficiency.
There’s also the moral imperative to create a safer, healthier world for future generations. Just take a quick look at the latest UN climate report (released Oct. 8), and you’ll get a sense of the dire situation in which the entire planet finds itself. Governments at all levels need to take serious steps toward mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change.
In other words, Regina’s commitment to becoming a renewable city would contribute to the current — and urgent — provincial, federal and international efforts to reduce climate risk, while growing clean energy jobs and economic opportunity.
This is Regina’s chance to be bold and forthright in positioning itself, its workers and its citizens as energy and climate leaders. A Renewable City Strategy would allow the city to extend its focus on sustainability by embracing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and tapping into the wealth of knowledge and experience that exists just outside City Hall’s doors.
I’m aware of about 10 other municipal governments in Canada that have adopted similar strategies — from B.C. to Alberta to Ontario. We would be the first in Saskatchewan.
An important moment is upon us, coming to a head on Oct. 29. In the weeks ahead, I encourage you to talk about Regina’s energy future with your family, friends, neighbours and colleagues. And if you’re so inclined, call or write city council to let them know this is on your mind.