CALGARY – The federal Liberals are promising to run all government operations on renewable energy within a decade, Environment Minister Catherine McKenna said Wednesday.
Speaking in Calgary to the Canadian Wind Energy Association, McKenna said the switch for all government operations is to be complete by 2025.
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“Today, to show we’re leading the way, we are announcing our firm commitment to purchasing 100 per cent renewable power for government operations by 2025,” she said.
“The government needs to be a key player to support the acceleration of clean growth – not only through policy, but by investing and showing leadership.”
McKenna said the government will buy renewable electricity for federal facilities such as military bases.
Few details were immediately available on how the program would work or what its cost implications might be.
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McKenna said the move is part of the government’s overall sustainable development strategy released in September.
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That plan includes pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from federal government buildings and fleets by 40 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, possibly as early as 2025. It also promises to spend $1 billion modernizing heating and cooling systems in more than 80 locations in the Ottawa region, which the Liberals say would reduce emissions from those buildings by about a third.
The government has also said it will buy clean power for all Public Services and Procurement Canada’s facilities by 2025 and modernize its fleet with an eye to using more electric vehicles. It also wants to encourage low-carbon practices within government, such as telecommuting instead of travelling.
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“By using renewable energy, we send a strong signal to markets that Canada is serious about reducing emissions, and supporting a clean-growth economy,” said McKenna.
“Canadian companies that supply green goods and services will see new opportunities to do business with governments, driving growth in this industry.”
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