The above quotation, from Richard Heinberg (author of the books The Party’s Over and Powerdown, may sound strange to most of our ears when first encountered, but it’s veracity is looming larger with each passing month. In fact, using fossil fuels to generate electricity is doubly unsustainable:

• Firstly, fossil fuels are not sustainable because they are a finite resource. We are presently feeling a distinct economic shift of regime as we transition from demand-limited production to supply-limited production of oil and gas.
• Secondly, fossil fuels are not sustainable because burning them overloads the atmosphere of our planet with levels of carbon dioxide that have not been seen for millions of years on Earth. This changes the whole biological and chemical metabolism of the planet in ways we are barely able to comprehend yet.

Accepting a transition to 100% electrical generation from renewable sources is both expedient and economically desirable. Renewable energy is today by far the fastest growing energy sector, attracting between 25-30% of all new energy investment.

The attached paper argues in favour of Strategy 2 of BC Hydro’s 2005 Integrated Electricity Plan, with some additional considerations. The important additional points are these:

• It is a prerequisite, from supply-side management as well as environmental considerations, to maximize reservoir-to-reservoir electrical power generation capacity to match fluctuating demand.
• That BC Hydro must be the conductor of the supply side management "symphony". The role of independent power producers in the system is key and vital, but as "instruments in the orchestra". Therefore BC Hydro should take control of the main reservoir-to-reservoir generating facilities, such as Kemano and Site C. BC Hydro should also build expanded capacity at Mica and Revelstoke stations.