The National Post reports in its Saturday edition that in Alberta, renewable energy projects are facing government-induced uncertainty. The Post's Jamie Sarkonak writes that earlier this month, Alberta ordered a seven-month pause on approving all new renewable energy power plants that produce more than one megawatt of electricity. In limbo are 15 queued projects, according to the government (the Pembina Institute puts the figure at 91). With all that investment on the line, The Post says the pause better be as temporary as the government says it is. The purpose for the freeze is to give the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) time to conduct an inquiry into a handful of concerns with renewable power generation. Details on how the pause and the inquiry will unfold are forthcoming, says the AUC. Critics have said that the cost of pausing approvals threatens millions of dollars worth of investments in green energy projects in the province. As far as the environment is concerned, critics can justifiably point to Alberta's existing standards and wonder why it is necessary to grind the approval process to a halt. Layers of rules already apply to these facilities, including remediation and reclamation requirements.