NDP’s Beck says net zero by 2035 might be possible, but not under Sask Party government

By Brian Zinchuk

Saskatchewan NDP Leader and Leader of the Opposition Carla Beck responded to the federal Clean Electricity Regulations aiming net-zero power grid by 2035 by stating, “I don’t support the federal government’s imposition of a net-zero power grid by 2035. With more than two-thirds of SaskPower’s generation coming from fossil fuels today, it isn’t realistic to replace all that generation capacity with renewables in the timelines proposed by the federal government.

“Would net zero by 2035 been possible with a different provincial government committed to emissions reductions over the last 16 years? Probably. But because of the Sask. Party inaction for the last 16 years, that isn’t an achievable goal for our province today.

“Because of the Sask. Party’s mismanagement of SaskPower, power bills for families have increased from $901 per year to $1452 per year during their time in office, and Saskatchewan people are currently paying the second most expensive power bills in the country.

“Saskatchewan people deserve access to reliable, affordable power, but unfortunately neither the federal government nor the Sask. Party have any solutions to help make that a reality.”

Leader of the Opposition and NDP Leader Carla Beck. Handout.