Choosing Our Future
A coalition with a vision to dynamically transform the way Vancouver Islanders live, work and play in their communities. We envision Vancouver Island being a safe, progressive, environmentally sensitive, energy self sufficient and life‐sustaining place for all its inhabitants.
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Membership
If you would like to support our objectives, please apply for membership here.
What is the Energy Problem?
NB: after reading the following, please complete the poll questions below!
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The effects of Climate Change for Victoria &Vancouver Island
This will be of
interest to all who live in the Capital Regional District (CRD) because
of forecast increasing sea levels and storm frequencies. Listen to the
Director of Sustainability at the City of Victoria, Roy Brooke, talking about
future climate change impacts and how the City is planning for these
changes.
Here is the link to the CBC interview with Roy Brooke, a CBC podcast, 19 Dec 2011 (9 minutes)
Climate change could cost Canada billions: National Round Table Report
Source: timescolonist.com 29 Sep 2011
Alternative? Renewable Energy Promotion!
The challenge of the century is the imperative to move to 100% renewable energy. This must happen in the next three or four decades as we approach three critical limits. First, the finite reserves of non-renewable’s (fossil fuels and uranium). Second, increasing demand for energy. Third, increasingly destructive impacts from global warming. Combined these threats pose the greatest challenge ever faced by society. Our children’s future depends on our rapid move to 100% renewable energy everywhere. John Wilson
Visit this site, then watch this video!
B.C. can showcase new electricity economy
The Myth of a Power-Starved BC
'Run of river' energy plus Site C? Does BC really need so
much electricity or have our politicians gone dam crazy?
Read this by Max Fawcett, 8 April 2010, TheTyee.ca
SPECIAL TO TIMES COLONIST - December 9, 2009
But at what cost for addtional Hydro Sources?
History of the Site C Option (October 29, 2005) and ( Jan/Feb 2008 )
And, What is the Urgency?
In The Oil Crunch, the first report by the UK Industry Taskforce on Peak Oil and Energy Security published in October 2008 – which includes three companies with direct rail interests – fuel's increasing cost is identified as being at least as great a problem as availability. Despite short-term volatility, fuel costs are expected to rise and as extraction becomes more difficult and pricey, energy security is the hands of sovereign states not the free market.
And - From Railway-Technology Feb 09
Energy costs drive up consumer price index !
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Washington Post Staff Writer
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Energy prices spiked for the fourth consecutive month in November, driving up the government's index of consumer prices, according to data released Wednesday morning.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the consumer price index rose 0.4 percent in November, in line with many economists' expectations. The index of energy prices rose 4.1 percent, with gasoline costs accounting for more than three-quarters of the gain. The increase in total energy costs was the largest since August, and those costs have jumped 7.4 percent over the past year.
So, What do we do about that trend?
Take Action to Reduce our Reliance on Fossil Fuel Energy !!
A UVic Team Explores one Solution: (NEW)
Electrifying the BC Vehicle Fleet -
Opportunities and Challenges for Plug-in Hybrid, Extended Range & Pure Electric Vehicles
Institute for Integrated Energy Systems, University of Victoria
Energy Resource Options for Vancouver Island
With Billions at Stake, Trying to Expand the Meaning of 'Renewable Energy'
Please read the the NY Times article by FELICITY BARRINGER (linked above).
Industries are pushing to classify nuclear power plants and burning waste from coal mines as environmentally advantageous.
If you wish further information on energy sources please browse one or all of the following: OR, select "Energy News" and then return to this page.
Energy Book and Web Site References - (in addition to the ones below)
Solar Meets Polar as Winter Curbs Clean Energy
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/26/business/26winter.html?_r=1&th&emc=th
Green Inc - the NY Times energy blog:
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/
US Department of Energy
http://www.eere.energy.gov/
Canada's Coalition for Nuclear Energy
http://www.coalitionfornuclearenergy.com/
Radioactive NIMBY - Nobody wants nuclear waste!
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE5DF113CF934A35752C1A9619C8B63&sec=&spon
Wind Energy Options for BC
1. Aeolis - May 2009 - Aeolis signs Memorandum of Understanding with Halfway River First Nation for Thunder Mountain and Hackney Hills wind project.
2. Sea Breeze Power - Projects include: 1. Knob Hill Wind Farm (north end of Island) 66 wind mills with an out put of 150MW; 2. Juan de Fuca HVDC cable to USA; 3. HVDC submerged cable from Alston, Oregon, to San Francisco area. While focus appears to be wind energy for US market. They claim to have the necessary Canadian /US permits.
3. Earth First - Projects include: 1. Grand Valley Project (near Orangeville, ON) wind farm producing 30 MW; 2. Dokie Ridge (Peace River region) ordered 48 Vestas V90 (3 MW) wind generators to set up a farm in north east BC.
tethered to ocean bottom).
and then tell us:
Which of the following alternate energy sources (i.e. other than coal, oil or hydro) would you prefer to be given top priority for development in the near future?
(select only one)
Poll responses re Energy Sources
Dirty or Clean Energy?
