Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I will introduce my colleague, Mr. Colin Clark, who is executive vice-president and chief technical officer of Brookfield Power. He's also chair of the board of directors of the Canadian Hydropower Association.
We certainly appreciate the opportunity and the invitation to be with you today.
The Canadian Hydropower Association, members of the committee, is making this submission to highlight hydro power's role in helping Canada successfully meet the combined challenge to reduce air pollution and address climate change. We will also provide comments on the proposed Clean Air Act itself, as you requested, Mr. Chair, and those will be provided by Mr. Clark.
Founded in 1998, the Canadian Hydropower Association (CHA) represents hydropower producers (over 95% of the hydropower capacity in Canada), provincial hydropower associations, as well as leading manufacturers of hydropower components, and world-renowned engineering firms. The CHA advocates the responsible use of hydropower to meet our present and future electricity needs in a sustainable manner.
The production of electricity is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants in Canada. If we collectively choose to develop electricity sources that are not derived from fossil fuels, then we will make a huge contribution to addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gases, and air pollution by avoiding emissions of chemicals responsible for smog and acid rain. We can act today because Canada already has the expertise to produce clean electricity; the technology exists, it is proven and reliable.
As you probably know, hydropower is Canada's leading source of clean and renewable energy. We generate 60% of our electricity from the power of water. Furthermore, we have an abundance of resources and the know-how to significantly expand the role of hydropower.
That advantages of developing hydropower are manifold. First, there is an economic advantage. Hydropower is both affordable and efficient, and it is not subject to the price fluctuations of fossil fuel.
Second, hydro power is abundant. Contrary to the views expressed in some quarters, Canada has a very high technical potential for additional hydro power. In fact it's technically possible to develop an additional 163,000 megawatts of new hydro power, which is twice the amount currently in operation. Quebec, Manitoba, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Ontario hold significant resources, but there is potential available in all provinces and territories.
Third, hydro power is a clean and renewable energy source, which makes it the best energy source to address both air pollution and climate change. Hydro power produces no air pollutants that cause acid rain or smog, no polluting or toxic waste byproducts, and very few greenhouse gas emissions. Future emissions within Canada could be reduced with increased interprovincial trade in hydro power. New projects in Quebec, Manitoba, and Labrador could generate enough electricity that they would be able to export surpluses to neighbouring provinces.
The fourth advantage is that while hydro power can help Canada attain its international greenhouse gas emission reduction objectives, it can also improve air quality at a continental level because of our exports to the United States, primarily to markets that rely on coal-fired power plants. As we know, most of the electricity exported to the United States from Canada comes from renewable hydro power.
Fifth, an energy grid supported mainly by hydropower is more reliable, because hydropower plants with reservoirs are able to store electricity for meeting peak power demand and for serving as a backup in case of outages.