Rethinking Lifestyle

On March 2, 2020, the federal and provincial government announced a new transmission line to take hydro-generated electricity from Manitoba to Saskatchewan. The scheme was described as ‘green energy’ scheme.

What is ‘green energy’? The USA Environmental Protection Agency describes green energy as that energy which provides the highest environmental benefit. This includes power produced by solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, low-impact hydroelectric and some biomass sources.

Most of these are renewable too, in other words, they are constantly replenished.

Some may argue that oil, gas and coal are renewable, and technically this is true. However, the Alberta oilsands are 50-60 million years old, which doesn’t make them renewable over any timeline that is useful to current consumers, or their foreseeable descendants.

Manitoba generates about 97% of its electricity from hydroelectric schemes, and has enough capacity to sell to Minnesota and Saskatchewan. Minnesota generates 60% of its electricity from coal, which is imported from neighbouring states, 25% from nuclear sources, and 9% from wind. Saskatchewan generates 49% of its electricity from coal, 35% from natural gas and 16% from hydro.

Electricity from Manitoba is attractive to both Minnesota and Saskatchewan because it is reliable and can be provided at a steady price. Hydro sources of electricity tick the box for other reasons too. More and more consumers are demanding action on climate change and for the products they buy to come without an environmental price tag. This is why many US states are now pledging to move towards Paris commission targets despite the current US federal government’s attitude.

Saskatchewan tax payers will benefit from Manitoba hydro power by paying less carbon tax. Yes, that’s right – there’s NO CARBON TAX on hydropower. Manitobans have been benefiting from green energy since the introduction of the Federal Carbon tax in April 2019.

When Manitoba’s Progressive Conservatives call for Manitoba to get credit for its green infrastructure, they seem to miss the point that we ARE getting credit on every electricity bill, and therefore we ARE getting credit for our green infrastructure.

However no carbon tax and low prices for electricity in Manitoba are no reason for us to be complacent. Hydro is not without its environmental cost. Hydro changes the way rivers flow, and construction damages natural areas like woodland and swamp affecting animal breeding grounds, and hunting and fishing areas used by Indigenous Peoples.

How can we reduce these impacts? By reducing growth in the use of electricity – efficient use of electricity to avoid the need for further dams. If Hydro doesn’t need to build more expensive dams, it doesn’t need to pass on the costs to its customers, so we benefit in the price we pay for our electricity. If we reduce our electricity use, by being content with smaller homes, using energy efficient appliances, turning things off when we don’t need them, we also benefit from lower Hydro bills.

What tips can you share for how to reduce energy use?