The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, Aug. 25, edition that Alberta's moratorium on renewable energy project approvals stands to affect 118 projects worth $33-billion, according to analysis of public data released Thursday by the Pembina Institute. The Globe's Emma Graney writes that Pembina's number dwarfs the United Conservative Party government's claim that 15 projects are being impacted by the seven-month pause on approvals. No industry groups nor companies affected by the freeze on Alberta's multibillion-dollar industry were consulted before the surprise announcement from Utilities and Affordability Minister Nathan Neudorf. Developers include established renewable energy companies, municipalities, fossil-fuel companies and first nations, representing at least $33-billion of investment and 24,000 jobs. The chasm between the government's list and Pembina's boils down to which regulator records are included.
The province only looked at the projects seeking final-stage approval from the Alberta Utilities Commission. Mr. Neudorf dismissed Pembina's analysis as "misinformation," saying the group's list includes projects "that are months, maybe years, away from even getting before the AUC."
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