home
> media centre
10/03/2011 British Columbians want energy independence and strongly support more wind energy as a source of clean electricity, poll finds
Vancouver, October 3, 2011 – Seventy-six per cent of British Columbians strongly agree or agree wind energy should be further developed as a source of clean electricity, according to a recent Oracle Research poll commissioned by the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA). The poll, conducted on Sept. 26 - 27, also found that 84 per cent of British Columbians want the province to produce enough power to meet the needs of residents without importing energy.
"As the province faces the challenge of a rapidly increasing energy demand and the imperative to slash greenhouse emissions while maintaining low energy cost, wind energy's ability to meet these and other challenges find strong support among British Columbians," said Robert Hornung, President of CanWEA. "Tomorrow, CanWEA will unveil its new WindVision for BC at Canada's largest renewable energy event right here in Vancouver. This strategic plan to 2025 highlights the need for, and benefits of, large-scale wind energy development in British Columbia."
The poll also found that 55 per cent of residents think it is equally important that new electricity generation comes with reduced impacts to land, water and wilderness, creates zero net greenhouse gas emissions, and is low cost.
"Wind energy can deliver well on all counts, in terms of reduced environmental impacts and in supplying affordable, cost-competitive electricity," said Hornung. "In addition to supplying emissions-free energy, wind energy delivers new jobs and considerable investments."
The poll is available online at: www.canwea.ca/windvision_bc_e.php
The poll represents the findings from a survey of voting age residents (18 years of age or older) in the province of British Columbia. The margin of error for this 400-person survey is +/- 4.9%, 19/20 times.
About the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA)
CanWEA is the voice of Canada's wind energy industry, actively promoting the responsible and sustainable growth of wind energy on behalf of its more than 420 members. A national non-profit association, CanWEA serves as Canada's leading source of credible information about wind energy and its social, economic and environmental benefits. To join other global leaders in the wind energy industry, CanWEA believes Canada can and must reach its target of producing 20 per cent or more of the country's electricity from wind by 2025. The document Wind Vision 2025 – Powering Canada's Future is available at www.canwea.ca.
For more information or to schedule a media interview, contact:
Ulrike Kucera
Media Relations Officer
Mobile: (613) 867-4433
Lejla Latifovic
Communications Co-ordinator
Mobile: (613) 608-8226
|
