Yesterday afternoon, Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt announced 146 million dollars in funding to support 19 projects under the Clean Energy Fund. I am happy to see the Minister put the money forward, but will refrain from leaping for joy just yet. Of that sum, many projects can only expect to receive 2 - 5 million dollars.
One project listed to receive funding is the Bay of Fundy tidal energy demonstration. Alas, we heard about this (and I blogged on it!) last October. Same goes for the geothermal project in Yellowknife, the Senate heard about that one two years ago while on a trip to the North. The list can likely go on. Regrettably it seems as though the most renewable thing about this news release, is the re-release of information.
How serious is this government? All of the projects are called demonstration projects. Many with huge capital costs, that make the 2 - 5 mil just a drop in the proverbial bucket.
So, how real is this?
Listen to her words. This Senator is both wise and hot.
Yup, a drop in the bucket. The serious money is funding carbon capture and storage projects for coal-fired power plants and tar sands upgraders. Harper and Ignatieff are both counting on greening the tar sands to produce "clean" energy. I guess renewables just aren't a priority for Canada.
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