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Powering BC: John Rustad Unveils Conservative Party’s Bold Plan for Affordable, Reliable, and Independent Energy
“British Columbians need a government that puts them first, not radical policies that jeopardize our energy future. The Conservative Party will make sure BC has the power it needs—affordable, reliable, and homegrown. It’s time for leadership that’s willing to face reality and take action to secure our energy future.” - John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia
October 1st, Brackendale, BC: Today, John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia, unveiled his party’s comprehensive plan to ensure a secure, affordable, and independent energy future for British Columbians. Rustad criticized Premier David Eby and the BC NDP for failing to develop a clear plan to meet the province’s growing energy demands, instead relying on ideological mandates that will drastically inflate power needs without the infrastructure to support it.
“David Eby has no plan to build the power BC needs,” Rustad said. “At the same time, he’s imposing radical mandates—like the forced transition to electric vehicles and home heating systems—that will push our energy grid to the breaking point. Without an energy strategy that includes significant new power generation, British Columbians will face skyrocketing rates and unreliable service.”
Affordable and Reliable Energy for British Columbians
The Conservative Party’s Powering BC plan focuses on restoring energy independence while ensuring that power remains both affordable and reliable. Under the NDP, BC has seen energy costs surge, placing an undue burden on families, businesses, and rural communities.
“Energy independence isn’t just a slogan—it’s essential to keeping the lights on without breaking the bank,” Rustad emphasized. “We used to be energy independent, and we can be again, but it’s going to take leadership that’s not afraid to face the facts. We need an energy policy that works for the people, not just for the ideologues in Victoria.”
Restoring Energy Independence
For decades, British Columbia relied on its natural resources and innovative power generation systems to supply affordable and independent energy to its residents. Rustad pointed out that under the NDP’s mismanagement, BC has been heading in the wrong direction, risking energy dependence and unsustainable costs.
“We need to stop pretending that pie-in-the-sky mandates will power our future,” Rustad said. “The NDP’s ideological approach is pushing BC towards energy dependence, where we’ll be importing power at higher rates instead of producing it here at home.”
Rustad’s plan will focus on:
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Restoring Energy Independence: The Conservative Party will ensure that BC becomes energy independent once again by investing in a diverse mix of reliable power sources.
- Eliminating the NDP’s Radical Mandates: The NDP’s ideological mandates—such as forced electrification of vehicles and heating systems without a corresponding plan for power generation—are pushing BC’s energy system to the brink. The Conservative Party will reverse these mandates and implement policies based on practical, sustainable energy solutions.
- Building Infrastructure That Meets Our Goals: Whether it’s expanding hydroelectric capacity, developing new natural gas facilities, or integrating cutting-edge technologies, the Conservative Party will focus on building the energy infrastructure needed to meet BC’s growing demand. Our approach will be technology-neutral and driven by the needs of British Columbians, not ideology.
- Exploring Nuclear Energy: As part of an honest conversation about BC’s energy future, the Conservative Party will study the feasibility of nuclear energy as a safe, clean, and reliable power source. While not a short-term solution, we believe all options should be on the table when it comes to securing a sustainable energy future.
- Advancing Alternative Energy That Makes Sense: The Conservative Party is committed to supporting alternative energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal—but only where they make practical, economic sense for British Columbians. We will prioritize the development of alternative energy technologies that complement BC’s existing power infrastructure and enhance reliability.
An Honest Conversation About BC’s Energy Future
Rustad emphasized that all options must be on the table for BC’s energy future. “It’s time for an honest conversation about where our energy is going to come from,” he said. “British Columbians deserve the truth, not empty promises. The reality is, we cannot rely solely on renewable energy sources to meet our future needs, especially with the government forcing electrification mandates without a clear plan to increase power supply.”
He criticized Eby’s administration for ignoring the urgent need for new energy development while imposing ideological mandates that will dramatically increase demand.
“David Eby wants to increase power demand while ignoring the fact that we don’t have the infrastructure to supply it. His mandates for electric vehicles and heat pumps are outpacing our grid’s capacity, and it’s British Columbians who will pay the price with higher bills and potential power shortages.”
Conclusion: BC’s Energy Future at a Crossroads
“British Columbians need a government that puts them first, not radical policies that jeopardize our energy future,” Rustad concluded. “The Conservative Party will make sure BC has the power it needs—affordable, reliable, and homegrown. It’s time for leadership that’s willing to face reality and take action to secure our energy future.”
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For more information, please contact [email protected].
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