To Spur Rural Economic Development--National Farmers Union Endorses Advanced Renewable Tariffs

The following is a press release from the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association.

January 4, 2005

For Immediate Release

For More Information Contact: Melinda Zytaruk, 416 977 4441

The National Farmers Union has endorsed the concept of Advanced Renewable Tariffs for rapidly deploying renewable energy technologies, such as wind turbines, among farmers and other rural landowners. The union, which represents farmers across Canada took the action at its national conference 18-20 November, 2004.

The National Farmers Union of Ontario had previously endorsed the concept on October 30, 2004 at its regional meeting.

Advanced Renewable Tariffs are being considered in Ontario.

Below is the resolution passed by the NFU. "Whereas the NFU encourages and supports efforts to move Canada's electricity supply from dirty fossil fuels and dangerous nuclear power to renewable sources such as solar and wind, and

"Whereas these renewable energy sources provide an opportunity to revitalize local rural communities if they are developed in ways that promote and facilitate local individual and cooperative ownership and enterprise, and

"Whereas wind power, in particular, offers new economic opportunities to farmers and rural communities, and

"Whereas it is important that governments choose the right system to promote wind power to maximize benefits to farmers, and

"Whereas Germany, Spain and other European countries have rapidly deployed large generating capacities and spread economic opportunity widely throughout the countryside by using Advanced Renewable Tariffs;

"Therefore be it resolved that the NFU urge provincial governments to immediately implement the Advanced Renewable Tariff System in order to increase the economic benefits of wind power development for farmers and rural communities."