Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Hudak On The Environment

On the one hand, its good to see that Tim Hudak embraces the concept of green or "emissions free" energy and hence, at least implicitly, the science of climate change. Of course, green energy for him means hydro electricity and more nuclear. Given, however, that the history of nuclear power plant construction typically involves intense NIMBYism (and not just by local Greens), cost over-runs and ever sliding completion dates, its ridiculous to imagine that any commitment to this technology will (as Hudak claims) put a lid on the rate increases that Ontarians have been subjected to over the last few years. Furthermore, Uranium, like oil and gas, will peak--perhaps in the middle of the new reactors' operating life--and so doesn't really count as a renewable in the first place.

On the other hand, Hudak is now exposed on his right flank to kooky denialist attacks from folks The Freedom Party of Ontario, who produced the video below. A year ago I would have argued that there are no votes to be had in this approach. Since that time...


...with the rise of Wild Rose in Alberta and the madness of the Republicans down South, I'm not so sure. Of course the Freedom party are a bunch of no-hopers as far as winning seats go, but they may be strong enough to pull Hudak right towards the full denialist position. We'll see if his small gestures towards environmental policy survive in the run-up to the provincial election.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Spoken like a true Warmista.

Do enjoy paying your Hydro bill in greenie whacko Ontario. Double digit $increases just to grease up Dulton's enviro mad credibility.

Carter Apps, dabbler of stuff said...

I don't agree with him but the FP guy does not seems like an unreasonable sort(not all hatey and wild eyed), if he gets some press it could draw away from Hudak, or force Hudak to get all hatey and wild eyed, either way the center wins

Tof KW said...

Hey Fred, you mean the plan that creates a whole new wind turbine industry in Ontario with the associated good paying jobs it provides? Also the one that will allow us to finally shut down our last coal-fired generators?

Also the HST increased hydro rates much more then this greening of our grid, a tax which I point out the Conservatives (federally) and Liberals agree is in the best interests of Ontario's economic future (and they are both right). Also regardless of his hot-air, Hudak will not rescind the HST ...caught on camera by CITY-TV.

Would you like to add to your immature commentary? I'm in the mood to kick ass today.