Posted on CBC.ca on Friday, November 21, 2008

With little new money to spend on renewable energy and climate change, P.E.I. Environment Minister George Webster said Wednesday the province intends to lead by example.

‘We are without question the most vulnerable province in Canada.’— Environment Minister George Webster

A new government policy document on energy and climate change released by Webster is a mix of old and new initiatives. Many of the biggest initiatives, such as the government’s commitment to wind power and the establishment of the Office of Energy Efficiency, had already been announced.

But there were few new initiatives. Government buildings will have energy audits next year and new government vehicles will have to be more fuel-efficient. Private vehicles will also have to improve, as the province is introducing emissions tests as part of the annual motor vehicle inspection.

Webster said because P.E.I. is an island, and because the province is more dependent on fossil fuels than any other, the issues are especially important.

“We are without question the most vulnerable province in Canada,” he said.

“There’s only one spaceship Earth. There’s no where else to go, so we have to preserve and protect what we have from an Earth, planet point of view, and P.E.I. works hard to do our little piece.”
Still waiting on biofuels

But because there is little new money available, he said, the Island will have to lead by example.

One piece of the energy strategy is still to come: the province’s plan on biofuels. The government is still waiting for a final report on that.

“We want to be as diligent and as frugal if you like with Islanders’ money,” said Webster.

“We don’t want a legacy of wasted money.”

The province has already turned down a proposal to create biofuels with sugar beets. Webster said the project was too big for P.E.I.

The climate change plan is meant to guide the province into the next decade.