Vital details missing from Manitoba energy plan, critics charge

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This article was published 04/08/2023 (819 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Instead of the long-awaited Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors “holistic” report on how Manitoba can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and work towards net zero by 2050, the Progressive Conservative government last week released its own 34-page, electricity-specific “road map.”

Critics say the difference leaves Manitobans in the dark about preparing for reduced fossil fuel usage and decarbonization.

“The vast majority of Dunsky’s analysis and advice to government has still not been shared, which must be made public in order for all stakeholders to effectively collaborate and plan for the future,” a representative for the Consumers Coalition said Friday.

Dunsky Energy was hired to develop an energy policy framework for Manitoba, as Canada moves toward the global reductions target.

After it conducted comprehensive energy modelling, research into strategy and policy options, and filed its report, cabinet’s economic development board requested a follow-up report, focusing on the economic opportunities presented by Manitoba’s clean electricity production.

That report was released late Thursday, ahead of the pre-election blackout on new government policy and funding announcements.

It is the basis for the “Manitoba Energy Roadmap” that Premier Heather Stefanson announced July 28 in front of Manitoba Hydro headquarters.

The Manitoba Eco-Network (which took part in consultations with Dunsky) said the road map and Thursday report don’t “reflect the lengthy and detailed work put into the process.”

“Manitobans deserve to see the full scope of Dunsky’s work, including the Phase 1 report that was originally prepared to inform a holistic energy strategy,” said Heather Fast, policy advocacy director.

When asked to share Dunsky’s full report, a government spokesman said Friday the 34 pages made public Thursday is the final report.

“A number of drafts were prepared during the course of Dunsky’s engagement, as is standard procedure in any work in progress.” The spokesman did not provide them.

Manitoba has one of the world’s cleanest energy grids, thanks to hydroelectric power, but electricity represents only about 30 per cent of the province’s actual energy use, according to 2022 report by the environment minister’s advisory council.

Fossil fuels provide nearly 70 per cent of provincial energy use, primarily in transportation and heating buildings.

Meanwhile, the provincial government’s primary focus on energy policy is “affordability for Manitoba ratepayers, and the long-term success of Manitoba Hydro,” Tory MLA Cliff Cullen, minister responsible for Hydro, said in a prepared statement Thursday.

“As outlined by our government last week, the Manitoba Energy Roadmap provides our vision for the future of energy conservation and development, as well as economic growth and job creation in Manitoba.”

“Clearly this is not an energy policy — it’s a piece of an energy policy,” NDP Hydro critic Adrien Sala countered Friday.

The Dunsky report ordered by cabinet to focus on electricity comes two years after the consultant was awarded the contract to come up with an energy policy framework, and more than a year after Manitoba was supposed to have its energy policy in place, Sala said.

“That speaks to this PC government’s lack of seriousness about developing a clean energy economy in Manitoba,” the NDP MLA said. “That’s a real concern, because we’re missing out on enormous opportunities as a result.”

Canada is among 120 countries committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. In 2021, the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act became law.

The 34-page report released Thursday says the province’s ability to save energy would be strengthened by a “whole-of-government approach.”

It recommends expanding Efficiency Manitoba’s powers and renaming it the Manitoba Energy Savings Authority to oversee energy saving, capacity and related greenhouse gas emissions.

It recommends the province lead by example. “Manitoba should set a target for all buildings to be net zero by 2050.” That would send an important signal to other building owners and demonstrate the feasibility of energy efficiency and greenhouse gas saving measures, the report says.

Cold-climate Manitoba could lean into a variety of energy-saving solutions when it comes to heating with more efficient, insulated and weatherized buildings, the report notes.

The Consumers Coalition (which includes Harvest Manitoba, Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg, and Consumers Association of Canada-Manitoba) expressed concern about how Manitoba is to get to net-zero emissions by 2050.

“The Dunsky electricity road map confirms a concerning lack of leadership on Manitoba’s energy transition, with government and Manitoba Hydro fundamentally at odds about how to meet Manitoba’s growing electricity needs,” its representative said Friday.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

The Dunsky Report