New polling by INNOVATIVE shows that most Albertans have a positive initial reaction to the Albertan government’s new renewable energy. However, many remain uncertain. As people become more familiar with the debate, there is room for public opinion to change.
On Wednesday February 28th, 2024, the Alberta government announced significant changes regarding Alberta’s renewable energy planning rules effective March 1, 2024. Those changes include banning renewable generation developments on high value farmland, making developers provide a bond or other security upfront to cover reclamation costs, and establishing 35-kilometer buffer zones around “pristine viewscapes” and banning new wind projects in those areas.
INNOVATIVE’s online poll of 400 Albertans was conducted from March 1st to March 11th, 2024. Respondents were asked a series of questions on their familiarity with the plan, their impression, and their reaction to each policy specific.
Just over two-thirds (69%) report being familiar with the new planning rules. However, only 6% say they are very familiar and can explain it to others in detail. Almost a quarter (23%) say they are familiar with the plan but cannot explain it to others in detail and 40% say they have heard of a plan but don’t know the details. Another quarter (24%) say they have not heard about a plan before this survey. Based on what they know or based on their first impression, Albertans see more good than bad in the plan, with 32% saying this sounds like a good thing versus 16% saying this sounds like a bad thing. However, 38% remain uncertain and 14% don’t know. If familiarity grows, these numbers could change.
While certain policy specifics leave many Albertans undecided, respondents see more good than bad in all the policy specifics tested. A majority (55%) view making developers responsible for reclamation costs via bond or security as a good thing with only 10% expressing the opposite. Similarly, over half (53%) believe that requiring public engagement prior to implementing changes in Crown land access is a good plan.
The Alberta government seems to have done a good job “reading the room”. There may be room for compromise on the details, but there is little political incentive for the government to fundamentally change course.
