127 lines
5.3 KiB
Markdown
127 lines
5.3 KiB
Markdown
# Free Energy: Because Paying to Keep Warm in -40° is Ridiculous
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!!! quote "Alberta Freedom Philosophy"
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"We have enough oil and gas to power a small planet, but somehow we're still paying through the nose for heat. Make it make sense."
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[Call Brian Jean, Minister of Energy and Minerals](tel:7804273740){ .md-button }
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[Email Minister of Energy and Minerals](https://influence.freealberta.org/campaign/energy-reform){ .md-button }
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[Call Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities](tel:7804270265){ .md-button }
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[Email Minister of Affordability and Utilities](https://influence.freealberta.org/campaign/utilities-reform){ .md-button }
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## The Current Situation
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In a province literally swimming in energy resources, we're still:
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- Paying some of the highest utility bills in Canada
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- Watching energy companies post record profits
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- Pretending deregulation was a good idea
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- Getting price-gouged every winter
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## Why Energy Should Be Free
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!!! info "Because..."
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- We're sitting on an ocean of resources that belong to all Albertans
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- The sun and wind don't send invoices
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- Energy is a basic human need, not a luxury
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- We already paid for the infrastructure with our taxes
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- Those corporate subsidies could power half the province
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## What Free Energy Looks Like
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### Electricity
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- Solar panels on every roof (yes, even in winter)
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- Wind farms (they don't cause cancer, we checked)
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- Geothermal power (turns out the ground is warm)
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- Community microgrids (power to the people, literally)
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### Heating
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- District heating systems (like they have in those "socialist" Scandinavian countries)
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- Heat pumps for everyone (because efficiency isn't communism)
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- Proper insulation (revolutionary concept, we know)
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- Passive solar design (the sun is communist now)
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### Clean Power Infrastructure
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- Smart grid technology (smarter than our current energy policy)
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- Energy storage systems (batteries aren't just for phones)
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- Decentralized power generation (because monopolies are so last century)
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- Public ownership (gasp!)
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## The "But What About Jobs?!" Section
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!!! tip "Plot Twist"
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- Renewable energy creates more jobs than fossil fuels
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- Maintenance of public infrastructure creates permanent positions
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- Energy efficiency retrofits need workers
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- Someone has to install all those solar panels
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## How We Get There
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1. Stop pretending deregulation worked
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2. Nationalize key infrastructure (yes, we said it)
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3. Invest in renewable technology
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4. Create public energy utilities
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5. Stop giving away our resources for pennies
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!!! warning "Corporate Tears Alert"
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Energy executives might have to downgrade from private jets to first class. Our hearts bleed.
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## The Real Cost of "Paid" Energy
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- Seniors choosing between heat and food
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- Families struggling with utility bills
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- Small businesses crushed by overhead costs
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- Environmental degradation
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- Record corporate profits (funny how that works)
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## Deep Dive Resources
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[Environmental Impact](../freeneeds/environment.md){.md-button}
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[Corporate Corruption](../freefrom/corporate.md){.md-button}
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## The Bottom Line
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In a province blessed with abundant energy resources, paying for basic power needs is like paying for air - absurd, unnecessary, and frankly, a bit suspicious.
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!!! success "Think About It"
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If we can subsidize oil companies, we can subsidize your heating bill. It's just a matter of priorities.
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---
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## Sources & Evidence
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### Energy Price Crisis
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- Electricity prices in Alberta **hit record highs in 2023**
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- Energy deregulation has led to significant **price volatility** for consumers
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- A new "**rate of last resort**" program was introduced in 2025 to help with price spikes
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- Low-income households are disproportionately affected by energy costs
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- Source: [Alberta Utilities Commission](https://www.auc.ab.ca/)
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- Source: [CBC News - Alberta electricity prices](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-electricity-prices-1.7089234)
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### Renewable Energy Blocked
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- A **7-month renewable energy moratorium** (August 2023 - February 2024) halted 118 projects
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- An estimated **24,000 jobs** were stalled during the moratorium
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- Since the freeze lifted, **11 gigawatts** of renewable projects have been cancelled
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- New restrictions could rule out **40% of the province** for renewable development
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- **45%** of proposed renewable projects are now failing to proceed
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- Alberta was responsible for **86%** of Canada's new wind and solar capacity (2020-2024) before the moratorium
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- Source: [CBC News - Alberta renewable moratorium](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-renewable-energy-moratorium-1.7089234)
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- Source: [Canadian Renewable Energy Association](https://renewablesassociation.ca/)
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### Energy Poverty
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- Energy poverty is growing despite Alberta being an energy-rich province
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- Many Albertans forced to choose between heating and other basic needs
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- No comprehensive provincial strategy to address energy affordability
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- Source: [Alberta Energy Poverty Research](https://www.pembina.org/)
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### Corporate Profits vs Public Good
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- Energy companies continue to post **record profits**
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- Oil companies hold **$1.5 trillion in toxic tailings** with limited liability
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- Orphan well cleanup costs downloaded to taxpayers
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- Source: [Parkland Institute](https://www.parklandinstitute.ca/)
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