Lower electricity rates for high use customers a step backwards
Millvale – The Green Party of PEI is urging Environment Minister Richard Brown to bone up on the causes and effects of climate change and study progressive energy policies in other jurisdictions after Brown announced he is seeking to lower the cost of electricity for high-use Maritime Electric customers.
“This is really just beyond belief,” said Green Party leader Sharon Labchuk. “The life support systems of the planet are rapidly deteriorating, the future of life on Earth is in jeopardy and scientists are telling us only an immediate and radical reduction in climate change gases will avert catastrophe. Government has an obligation to enact policies that cut climate change emissions, not increase them.”
Brown said the intent of cheaper electricity rates for high-use customers is to give farm businesses a break. Included in the block of customers that would benefit from lower rates, according to Brown, are about 1,700 high-use residential customers. Statistically, high-use residential customers have higher than average incomes.
“Giving cheaper electric rates to farm businesses and higher income consumers means that lower and middle income Islanders and people doing their best to conserve energy are subsidizing big consumers,” said Labchuk. “This is contrary to the polluter pay principle and does nothing to curb energy use. If the Ghiz government wants to do something for agriculture, it can stop subsidizing unsustainable farm businesses that pollute everyone else’s drinking water and air, and start transitioning these farms to organic agriculture.”
Labchuk said a Green party government would support time-of-use electric rates like those enjoyed by Ontario residents. Electricity would be priced at different rates throughout the day so energy-conscious people can choose to use electricity when it’s cheapest.
“Practical ideas abound for large scale reductions in electricity use and climate change emissions,” said Labchuk. “By not biting the bullet today, we place a major economic burden on our children. They will be forced to deal with the worst consequences of climate change, in effect paying for current government policies that do too little too late.”
Contact:
Sharon Labchuk
902-621-0719
902-940-1262 cell