Fuelling confusion???

Earlier this week in a letter to the editor (printed in Monday's Province) I expressed my confusion over the stand that the NDP has taken over the issue of climate change, versus the efforts of one NDP MLA to force oil companies to lower the price of gasoline at the pump. As confused as I was (am) over this particular issue, a piece in today's Vancouver Sun seems to clarify my belief that one of the NDP's hands is clearly not talking to the other.

NDP MLA and energy critic John Horgan announced last week his plan to introduce a private members bill to address what he identified as "gouging" by the oil companies. His argument being that the price of fuel here in British Columbia is significantly higher than anywhere east of the Rockies. No argument from me there! Surely no one likes to pay too much for anything but, for some reason inflated pump prices always seem to hurt twice as much as anything else. The high price of gas was one of the key factors in my decision to down size from an SUV to a miserly 4 cylinder wagon.

My problem with Mr. Horgan's stand on this point is more about timing than content (as I've had to explain to more than one of my friends). Why now and why not last summer when fuel prices were almost 30 cents more per litre? Why now at a time when climate change is thebuzz phrase and fellow NDP MLA, environment critic and Vancouver-Hastings own native son, Shane Simpson has accused the Ministry of Transportation of ignoring the link between transportation and the environment? Why would MLA Horgan choose now to even suggest cheaper fuel when his own leader, Carole James has all but taken credit for the governments commitment to emission reductions? Why, oh why would the NDP want tosuggest cheaper fossil fuel if there is even the remotest of possibilities that the high price of oil could encourage people (like me) to make alternative transportation choices.

If your not confused yet... read on!

This past Tuesday the BC Liberal government unveilled its new energy plan that, among other things identifies the harsh reality that we will have to cut our energy demands in half over the next 13 years in order to effectively reverse the occurrence of climate change and to become energy self-sufficient by the year 2020. The government presents some very aggressive steps that it feels necessary to reduce consumption by some 15 000 gigawatts annually and to ensure that the energy we use is as clean as possible. The most significant change needed seems to be one in attitude.

In order to achieve this ambitious goal of energy reduction, British Columbian's will likely have to first change behaviours. As president of BC Hydro Bob Elton correctly points out "We have a province where people have never had to think about electricity and we need to change that view." (Sounds familiar to me) The problem, according to the NDP's John Horgan is that there is no way we will be able to change public behaviour as long as electrical prices remain low! That's not all, Horgan goes on to ask "Whats the incentive to move to more efficient appliances, for people to power smart their windows? There's nothing to encourage people to meet these goals."

Its true! You did read right, the very same person that's demanding cheaper gasoline prices in BC is also suggesting that the only way we will ever change our attitudes about energy is to hit us where it hurts, in the wallet. Increased electrical prices will encourage us to turn out the lights, turn down the heat and turn off the tv. Why not? If we get really cold we can always jump in our cars, crank the heat up and drive around the block a few times.

John Horgan tells us that the government is sending a mixed message (The News Feb 28). I don't know about you but I've never been more confused about a message than I am about the one that he's trying to peddle here.