Ottawa Urged To Expand EcoENERGY Program

It is “absolutely critical” that the program be extended if Canada's alternative energy sector is to become a key part of the economy, said John Keating, chief executive officer of Canadian Hydro Developers Inc., a Calgary-based wind- and hydro-power developer. Because of the high upfront capital costs of alternative power compared with fossil fuels, the subsidy is extremely helpful in keeping companies afloat, he said. Canadian Hydro is one of almost two dozen organizations in the Clean Air Renewable Energy Coalition, which has been pressing its case with federal officials in prebudget consultations. The group includes traditional energy companies such as Shell Canada Ltd., Suncor Energy Inc. and Ontario Power Generation Inc., along with several renewable energy developers, and non-government organizations such as Pollution Probe, the Pembina Institute and World Wildlife Fund Canada. Unless Ottawa's support is extended, federal money will only help the country get to about 5,000 megawatts of renewable power, the coalition says. Its goal is 12,000 MW by 2015. ... http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080205.walternative0205/BNStory/energy/

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