Danielle Smith, Alberta's premier, staunchly opposes the shift to renewable energy, prioritizing the region's fossil fuel dominance.
Jeremy Appel reports for Jacobin.
In short:
- Smith is mounting a formidable challenge against the global transition towards renewable energy sources.
- The Canadian province, its economy deeply entrenched in the fossil fuel industry, is resisting a just and equitable energy transition.
- Smith's administration is actively seeking ways to counteract initiatives aimed at reducing fossil fuel reliance, emphasizing economic risk over environmental progress.
Key quote:
Pausing renewable energy production “makes the statement that it’s impossible to achieve a net zero power grid by 2035 that much closer to being true.”
— University of Calgary political scientist Lisa Young
Why this matters:
Smith's stance exemplifies a broader conflict between traditional energy sectors and global sustainability goals, highlighting the tension between economic interests tied to fossil fuels and urgent environmental and health imperatives.
Learn more: Coal, oil and gas have given communities across the U.S. both steady paychecks and devastating pollution. Is it time to center health in energy production?
Question for the reader:
How should regions dependent on fossil fuels navigate the transition to clean energy?
AI-based tools helped produce this text, with human oversight and editing.
