Campbell's Emissions

Will Gordo get with the Governator? British Columbia is due for an energy plan that “will follow much of the script that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has laid down for California to combat global warming,” according to the lead story in Saturday’s Vancouver Sun.

The Tyee reported similar rumblings a month previous, but the Sun did get Campbell saying Tuesday’s throne speech will support setting emissions targets for greenhouse gasses, just as Arnold did. Those hard caps are critical if we are to do our part in making any dent in global warming, say those pressing for them – a growing coalition in B.C. that already includes labour, enviros, religious leaders and others.

Campbell is quoted in the Sun saying established targets would work better than voluntary measures, and “we have to set a level playing field for everyone.” Why would the business-backed premier say a thing like that? After all, over at the Province, political columnist Mike Smyth just the previous Sunday argued that substantial reductions in emissions are impossible and will destroy the economy.

But there are situations when business actually welcomes regulation if it enables competitors to share the inevitable pain – and potential gain – more equally. That’s what corporate leaders have told public relations pro James Hoggan, who consults to a lot of large BC companies. As Hoggan told The Tyee, Canada and B.C. may be sitting on a gold mine of green tech, once the proper incentives are in place.

Campbell also hinted in the Sun that his enthusiasm to build two or more coal fired mega-generating plants is waning. One gets the sense that energy is fueling some pretty spirited debates at BC Lib headquarters. Wonder how many drafts the already weeks overdue new energy plan will go through before we see the fine print?