Phillip Meintzer of the Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) speaks with Alberta Primetime host Michael Higgins about restrictions on the province’s renewable energy sector.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Michael Higgins: Your group has written to the government, you’re expressing concern over these additional restrictions. As a wilderness association, why wade into debate over renewable energy development?
Phillip Meintzer: I think it’s important for people to recognize that development needs to be responsible, regardless of the industry. So whether it’s renewable energy, whether it’s the oil and gas industry, whether it’s urban sprawl or building roads, all of that has to be done in a way that respects the environment and limits our impact to biodiversity and the ecosystems that we rely on.
MH: Where renewables are concerned, how do you assess the potential impact of the government’s agriculture first approach?
PM: My colleague actually produced a report recently for us that looked at the impact of potential restrictions on …