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OTTAWA, Canada, Feb. 10th, 2010 - The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) today extended congratulations to the British Columbia government for its Throne Speech announcements on the future of clean energy development in the province. In the Speech, the government outlined its intention to put in place a new Clean Energy Act that will, among other things, seek to improve energy procurement processes and streamline existing regulatory processes.

 “We are very encouraged by the government’s vision of the positive role that wind and other renewable energy sources can play in British Columbia’s economy and its energy future”, said Robert Hornung, president of the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA).  “This announcement follows on the Green Energy Advisory Task Force that identified the enormous potential for wind energy in the province and the substantial social, economic and environmental impacts that this development would bring. However, as we have seen in BC and other jurisdictions, the details matter a great deal and we therefore look forward to working with the government towards timely passage of a Clean Energy Act that truly sets the stage for BC to develop wind to its full potential.”

British Columbia has a world-class wind resource. Studies have identified more than 5,000 MW in near-term wind development opportunities across the province.  In 2009, BC saw the commissioning of its first operational wind farm at Bear Mountain, bringing with it jobs, investment and reliable power.  More than $1 trillion is expected to be invested worldwide in new wind energy projects over the next decade, and BC is well-placed to compete for this investment. A Clean Energy Act which improves procurement processes, and creates regulatory efficiency and certainty, will send a strong signal to investors that BC is serious about realizing its green energy opportunities.
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 450 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
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