Shadow Environment Minister Cole Simons has criticised Government for the length of time it has taken to initiate a national energy plan.

Mr. Simons was responding to a Motion in the House of Assembly on Wednesday by Energy Minister Terry Lister: 'That this House takes note of Government's Green Paper entitled the Energy Green Paper: A National Policy Consultation on Energy.'

The Opposition MP said: "Ten years after the PLP has been in Government the energy light has just been turned on. "This issue has been lingering for a number of years but because Bermuda is on the brink of an energy crisis the Minister has seen the light."

Mr. Simons said without a national energy plan, "Bermuda's success will be compromised".

"We must ensure our energy supply is secured," he said. "Economic growth is not enough. To sustain our heritage and culture we must sustain our environment.

"We cannot delay our energy policy and energy management any longer. Bermuda's prosperity and wealth depends on energy. Energy keeps us cool, powers our economy and keeps us in touch with the rest of the world."

Mr. Simons said: "At the end of the day, these policies must protect our people, security of energy supply, the environment and contribute to a resilient society.

"We are almost behind the curve on this matter. Most countries are more advanced than us when it comes to implementing an energy policy."

Mr. Simons said Bermuda is at a crossroads when it comes to energy conserving.

"If we want to preserve Bermuda for the next generation, we need to address Bermuda's sustainable energy supplies, and we must do it now," he concluded.

The Shadow Minister also questioned how consultants BI Solutions had been chosen by the Energy Minister. Pointing out the company's boss was a Howard University graduate in the late 1960s, he hinted that Minister Terry Lister may not have made the decision to appoint BI Solutions himself.

By this stage another 1960s Howard University graduate, Premier Dr. Ewart Brown, had left the House of Assembly for the night.

But on hearing Mr. Simons' comment on the radio, the Premier burst back into the House for one final speech.

"I need to spend a few moments to say a few things about why Honourable Members may every now and then see a connection between Bermuda and Howard University," said the Premier. He said the Island's links with Howard go back to Eustace Cann, a leading politician from the middle of the last century.

Referring to BI Solutions' appointment, the former Howard student government leader and Howard trustee said: "I was proud when I heard that there was some Howard people involved.

"I want to dispel any notion that we are concerned in any negative way that Howard University is mentioned."

He said Howard University was born out of the special experience that black people have had, adding: "It's no coincidence that when I go to the leading university in the West Indies that the leader is a fellow classmate of mine, and I do apologise. There's always suspicion connected to us when we connect."

Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney said Bermuda was behind the curve on the energy issue, and said in Brazil they get energy from sugar cane.

Mr. Blakeney said it was time to start the educational process to let people know there must be change. He said public service announcements could urge people to turn off the lights when they leave a room.

Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards spoke about the de-monopolisation of Belco, claiming it would not work to bring in another group of similar size to Belco because of Bermuda's size and needs.

He suggested a system in which different organisations are responsible for different parts of the energy producing process. Mr. Richards added that competition forces efficiencies.

Wayne Perinchief, Progressive Labour Party MP for Pembroke Central, the home of Belco, said: "If we are to deem ourselves a government that's forward looking and progressive, we must step up to the plate when it comes to energy production."

PLP backbencher Zane DeSilva said the Mr. Lister and his team had done a fantastic job producing the green paper and that people needed to be educated on saving energy by using pedal bikes, public transport or car pooling.

Charles Swan of the UBP said it was good that Bermuda is finally on the bandwagon and that Caribbean islands had used successful methods, such as Barbados with solar hot water systems.

Junior Labour Minister Walter Roban said countries around the world have different sustainable energy systems which Bermuda could learn from.

Shadow Education Minister Grant Gibbons said: "The truth is there is nothing new or innovative here, but the good news is that Government has finally woken up to this issue. There is a lot of work still to be done."

Dr. Gibbons also asked Government to lead by example to the public.

He suggested Government not set air conditioning thermostats so low and trade in their "gas guzzling GP cars" for electric or hybrid vehicles.

Shadow Works Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said: "If we are not forced to conserve it's not going to be long before the demand will out strip the supply of energy. And there is a possibility that this could mean rolling blackouts."