Increasing renewable energy to create more conflicts between environmental values [Video]

An Alberta environmental group opposes a solar power project over concerns it would damage antelope habitat and block their migration.

Homeowners in the province are fighting a renewable natural gas proposal over fears it would hurt air quality and strengthen already powerful odours.

As Alberta slowly builds a climate change-friendly energy grid, conflicts between different environmental values are going to become more frequent, experts say.

“All energy development has impacts,” said Sara Hastings-Simon, a professor in the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary.

“As we see more development happening, there will be more conflicts.”

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One example is the Aira solar project near the town of Bow Island in southern Alberta.

The project would provide 450 megawatts of carbon-free electricity to the provincial grid, but opponents fear its …