PC’s Demand Maximum Local Economic Benefits from Wind-Hydrogen and Vigilant Oversight
For Immediate Release
(April 19, 2024, St. John's, NL): Exploits MHA Pleaman Forsey, Shadow Cabinet Minister for Environment and Climate Change, said the PC Party supports the development of our province’s wind power potential where the principal beneficiaries of that development are the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, where local community benefits agreements are in place, and where appropriate environmental guidelines are followed to protect local ecosystems and industries.
“We are voicing our cautious optimism for the newly greenlit Wind Power and Hydrogen Generation Project on the understanding that stringent oversight will maximize local benefits and safeguard the environment and economy of the region. We acknowledge the project's potential for significant economic benefits, and at the same time, we emphasize the importance of ensuring that the project's execution is in the best interest of Newfoundland and Labrador, the local region and its residents,” he said.
"We recognize the potential of wind-hydrogen to strengthen Newfoundland and Labrador’s position as a North American leader in green energy production. As with all such projects, it is imperative that we maintain vigilant oversight to ensure there is a local community benefits agreement that genuinely serves our communities’ best interests; that decommissioning costs are transparently addressed; and that the highest environmental protection standards are upheld."
The PC Party has been demanding a comprehensive community benefits agreement that ensures the project's economic returns are equitably shared with the local communities, particularly those directly affected by the project's development. Issues regarding the eventual decommissioning of the project and the associated costs must be addressed through clear, upfront plans to ensure that environmental restoration and cleanup obligations are fully met without burdening the taxpayers of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Forsey said, "As we are the stewards of our province's natural resources and environment, we have the responsibility to ensure that projects are executed with the utmost diligence, transparency, and respect for our communities and natural heritage. We will continue to closely monitor this project's progress and demand accountability for ensuring it is indeed the best possible deal for Newfoundland and Labrador."
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