Cheaper oil a threat to green energy: Don Pittis

Most people like it when gas pumpprices fall. But in a selfish way, I liked it when fuel prices were rising. Itmademe feel smart.

It's not because of my investments in the oil industry. Just the opposite. We made a family investment in green technology, and made out like bandits. Now the question is, with oil prices falling, will the economic advantages of green investing start to disappear?

Our green investment wasn't as dramatic as taking a stake in a windmill or putting solar panels on the roof.

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But five years ago, we bought a "clean diesel" wagonthat at the time produced less carbon per kilometre than any non-hybrid internal combustion car. And boy did that investment pay off.

Rising fuel price crunch

Using Ontario government statistics,instead ofmy own less reliable memory,diesel was selling for about 80 cents a litre when we bought the car in 2009. The data shows that over that time, fuel costs rose by more than 10 cents each year, peaking at just under $1.50 a litre this spring.

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So whatever advantage we thought we were buying back in 2009, every time fuel got dearer that green decisionlooked better and better.

But now that oil prices are falling, does that economic motivation disappear? Not just for efficient cars, but for green energy in general? It's happened before.

"There was an initial wave of interest [in green energy]in the aftermath of the oil shocks in the 1970s," says Mark Winfield, a York University professor who studies the political economyofenergy. "Interest in renewables at that stage did fall off once the price began to fall again."

It was alsoin the wake of the OPEC crisis in the '70s that the Honda Civic, much tinier than the current model, arrived in Canada as consumers demanded more fuel-efficient cars. There too, as oil prices fell from their highs, people strayed back to gas guzzlers.

According to the Washington Post, Americans are turning back toward Hummers and SUVsas gas prices plunge in some places below $2 a U.S. gallon or 60 cents Cdn a litre. "That's not good for Tesla," says the Post, referring to the luxury all-electric car company own by entrepreneur Elon Musk.

Switching to Hummers?

Low gas prices may mean people are not choosing cars with the best fuel economy just now, but Winfield says new North American fleet economy rules means even big cars will still be greener.

"Because of climate change concerns we've locked in fuel economy," says Winfield."Both the U.S. and Canada have adopted standards that preclude going backwards to gas guzzlers."

As for green electricity, the price of oil will only have a small impact, says Winfield."We don't actually burn much oil for electricity generation purposes."

Instead, alternative power sources like wind and solar are in direct competition with natural gas and coal, which are already cheap. Theplunging costs ofgreen alternatives, especially solar, means they are quickly getting to the point where they will be competitive even without special subsidies he says.

In our family, we're hoping our car lasts a few more years. But when the day to get a new onearrives, we'll still buy the most fuel-efficient car that fits our needs and our budget, even if gas is cheap.

Climate change may not yet be priced into the cost of oil, but in our circles, at least, showing you care about the future of the world inherited bypeople's children and grandchildrenmeans a greener carpays off in status.