BURNABY — New Democrat Leader John Horgan launched his own PowerBC plan Tuesday to counter Premier Christy Clark’s failing LNG plan, pledging province-wide retrofits of everything from the Revelstoke Dam to private homes.
Horgan also isn’t ruling out cancelling the $9-billion Site C Hydro electric project already under construction if his party wins the 2017 provincial election, reported Canadian Press.
He said his plan would create jobs across B.C. and protect families and businesses from rising power rates through accelerated energy retrofits of public buildings, schools, commercial structures and homes.
Horgan said he would revisit the question of cancelling the Site C project leading up to the provincial election 18 months from now, adding life would go on if the agreement was shelved.
“I don’t think we’re at the too-late stage,” he told reporters.
Energy Minister Bill Bennett disagreed, calling the suggestion to cancel the Site C project “an asinine idea.”
He said if Horgan wants to fight an election on that issue then “let her rip.”
The NDP energy plan would also include upgrading existing Crown-owned BC Hydro facilities like the Revelstoke Dam.
Horgan said his plan would free BC Hydro to pursue clean-energy opportunities that draw upon wind and solar power and use emerging technologies. He said the plan would also include partnerships with First Nations and clean-energy providers.
Horgan said his plan is more cost effective and efficient than the Liberal energy plan, which he described as stuck in the 1950s.
“I’ll put (my plan) against Christy Clark’s any day of the week,” he added.
