Countryside Energy Co-operative is applauding the introduction of the Green Energy Act of Feb. 23.
Particularly welcome is the amendment of the Co-operative Corporation Act that would allow renewable energy co-operatives.
"This is good News for our members," said general manager Doug Fyfe. "This amendment will permit energy co-operative to sell the energy they produce to others, rather than just to their own members."
Provisions that would make it mandatory for transmitters and distributors to give priority access to their systems to renewable energy generation also encouraged Fyfe.
"Access to the grid is absolutely essential if people are to be encouraged to invest in renewables," said Fyfe. "Nobody wants to produce energy that cannot be sold for a fair and reasonable profit. Investors need the assurance that their energy will get to market. Giving renewables priority access is a major step that will advance green energy. "