SAAEP LAUNCHES GREEN GROWTH PLAN PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESS

April 11, 2007

Lethbridge, Alberta - According to the partners in the Southern Alberta Alternative Energy Partnership (SAAEP), there is significant opportunity for southcentral and southwestern Alberta to become a global leader in alternative energy production and manufacturing. In order to support the development of this industry, the SAAEP has designed an extensive public consultation process which will be launched this month and involve 10 public meetings in the region by the end of May (see attached schedule of dates and towns – specific locations in towns TBA).

Known as the Green Growth Plan, the public meetings will help define community-based priorities for alternative energy development and will be the foundation for the direction of the initiative going forward. Meetings will also be held with industry and government to explain the partnership and the Green Growth Plan; ultimately engaging them in the issues, ideas and solutions that come out of the public meetings.

John Kolk, chair of the SAAEP Advisory Committee, says, “This important foundational work will ensure the SAAEP partners understand the opportunities as seen by the people who live right in the region. It will also ensure we know what the residents want to protect as we build industry interest and momentum for solar, wind and bio-energy projects. This is the key role of the Advisory Committee and we encourage everyone with an interest in their community and in the future of energy in this province to participate.”

Summaries of the results of the meetings will be posted on the SAAEP website as will the final report, which will be delivered to the Advisory Committee and the three sponsoring Boards by the end of June. Residents in the region wanting more information on the specific Green Growth Plan meetings can check out the website or contact John Carstairs, Project Coordinator, at 403-331-4707 or john@saaep.ca.

The Southern Alberta Alternative Energy Partnership represents 37 regional municipalities. More information on the SAAEP is at www.saaep.ca.

For more information, contact:
John Kolk
Chair, SAAEP
(403) 330-9479

GREEN GROWTH PLAN PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE

Apr-24 Vulcan, Royal Canadian Legion

Apr-25 Claresholm, Claresholm Lodge

May-01 Taber, Heritage Inn

May-02 Warner, Elks Hall

May-08 Coaldale, Community Centre

May-09 Blairmore, Blairmore Lions

May-15 Pincher Creek, Municipal District Meeting Room

May-16 Cardston, Civic Centre

May-22 Lethbridge, Lethbridge Lodge, Cedar Room

May-23 Lethbridge, Lethbridge Lodge, Cedar Room

All meetings will begin at 6:00 p.m. and are schedule to be completed by 9:00 p.m.
All residents of these communities and the surrounding regions are encouraged to attend.
Meeting information will also be published via newspaper and radio.


More information on meeting times and locations will be available at:
www. saaep.ca

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