Pay for Your Own Damn Windmills!
From the Vive l'Alberta Libre Archives
Below is a missive from me to the author, readers of, and specifically the commenters to a 2023 article in “Canada’s National Observer” entitled Danielle Smith’s ‘can’t-do’ attitude on climate change will cost Alberta. You don’t need to read the article, or the hateful comments; I’ve read both so that you don’t have to. Besides, you’ll get the gist when you read my comments below. Enjoy!
Regardless of whether you think the elimination of fossil fuels is, or is not necessary,
commenters here might consider Alberta’s reluctance to conform to Ottawa’s dictates as a matter of freedom. Canada spends millions billions of dollars to help Ukraine separate from Russia. Kiev is 755 km from Moscow. Edmonton is 2837 km from Ottawa.
Honestly, we just want you people to leave us alone. If you don’t like fossil fuels, then shut down the auto plants in Ontario and the aircraft factories in Quebec. Further, stop the bunker C fuel burning ships navigating the St. Lawrence – especially the tankers carrying conflict oil from foreign dictatorships. While you’re at it, close the valve on your gas meter. Are you feeling superior because you enjoy the benefits of hydroelectricity? Please dismantle the habitat destroying dams from which you so selfishly benefit. Perhaps you’re a fossil fuel hating Albertan that lives in Calgary or Edmonton. Fine, just put the windmills and solar panels near your home – not in rural areas “’cause nobody lives there anyway”. People that live in rural areas care about their communities just as much as urban Albertans. And if renewables (ie. Unreliables) are such a fabulous idea, then please don’t ask others to subsidize your choice of energy. Trust me – if you pay for your own mistakes, you’ll make fewer of them. Oh, and another thing: If you live in Alberta, and you’re anti-fossil fuel, then you’re pro-blackout. Thanks neighbour!
By the way, rural Albertans aren’t alone in their desire to protect their landscapes (not
to mention the bird population) from renewable energy projects. Here’s a fast-growing
database of communities that have also rejected unreliables:
https://robertbryce.com/renewable-rejection-database/
Like the Chinese, the Germans, the Japanese, and others, Albertans prefer fossil fuels to unreliables, and have signaled their intent to keep burning them by choosing Danielle Smith as Premier - regardless of what others may think. Is she perfect? No, but at least she doesn’t wear blackface. Instead of criticizing Albertans’ political choices, please reflect on your own. I’m talking to you, voters in every province and territory except Alberta and Saskatchewan.
It has been said that “The best tax is one that someone else pays”. A corollary to the
foregoing is that “The best virtue to signal is one that costs others, but does not cost
you”. I’m tired of idealogues who signal their climate virtues in ways that only cost
others.
Man! It felt great to write the above! No doubt the Laurentians reading this will characterize this Albertan as “uppity” - a mantle I am proud to wear. Oh, and here’s all you need to know about “Canada’s National Observer”:
Funded in part by
Tides Canada (ie. Tides U.S.)
Tides U.S. (More on Tides here. God Bless Vivian Krause)
The Government of Canada’s Local Journalism Initiative (ie. Alberta taxpayers)
The Government of Canada Covid-19 Business-Relief Program (ie. Alberta taxpayers)
Is it any wonder Federal Government funded Canada’s National Observer has a mad on for an Alberta Premier who stands up to the Federal Government?
