Clean Energy Canada | Canada-U.S. Climate Commitments Make Progress Toward Closer Cooperation on Clean Energy
March 10, 2016

VANCOUVER—Merran Smith, executive director of Clean Energy Canada, made the following statement in response to the clean energy commitments from President Obama and Prime Minister Trudeau in Washington, D.C., today:

“By shifting the discussion from pipelines to power lines, the leaders made some progress today—but we still have a ways to go before our countries truly seize the opportunity of clean energy cooperation.

“For clean energy, there are two good steps forward in today’s agreement. The two countries will study and implement ways to bring more renewable power onto the grid, and both have committed to develop long-term low-carbon strategies this year. We know that clean energy will be an essential piece of that strategy on both sides of the border.

“It’s great to see clean energy get priority treatment at a summit of leaders, but it shouldn’t be a surprise. Clean energy is big business, with well over $50 billion invested in the U.S. alone last year.

“Canada’s clean electricity exports to the U.S.—valued at nearly $4 billion in 2014—could triple as the U.S. moves to curb its use of coal under President Obama’s Clean Power Plan. Working with the U.S. on transmission infrastructure and smarter grids would help realize Canada’s clean export potential.

“North America’s leaders have a perfect opportunity to deepen their clean energy partnership at the upcoming ‘three amigos’ summit Canada will host in June. Along with clean power, collaboration on electric vehicles is a perfect fit for North America’s integrated auto sector.”