Now Alberta is phasing out coal too

The Canadian province of Alberta, home to the country’s controversial oil sands, says it will implement an economy-wide tax on carbon emissions in 2017, addressing long-standing criticism it is not doing enough to combat climate change.

“Although there’s still room for improvement, the commitments we’ve seen are important contributions to solving the climate crisis and sets the stage for progressively stronger targets as we aim for a renewable energy economy by 2050”, said Ian Bruce, science and policy manager at the David Suzuki Foundation.

By demonstrating that Alberta is willing to lead the way with an ambitious climate plan, the province can become a preferred source for oil and create sustained wealth and jobs for future generations of Albertans and Canadians.

The Official Opposition leader says the Notley NDP misled Alberta voters about tax increases in the May provincial election.

And considering the weekend’s announcement, that might be just as well.

A 100-megatonne cap on carbon emissions from the oil sands, Canada’s fastest-growing source of emissions, once new rules are adopted. “And I do believe that this is a… particular penalty on oilsands producers that’s much more disadvantageous to them than other industries”.

Note, too, that the Alberta version of the carbon tax is slated to bring in more than twice as much revenue as its B.C. counterpart – about $3 billion a year when the rate hits $30 a tonne starting in January 2018, versus the $1.3 billion in proceeds collected at the same emissions threshold here in B.C. now. That price will increase to $30 the following year.

It’s estimated that in 2017, the average household will pay $320 additional dollars for transportation and heat, increasing to $470 in 2018.

Jean made the remarks on Monday morning in Edmonton, saying that new tax comes as a complete surprise to Albertans because the NDP made no mention of it during their campaign.

On that score the Alberta approach could present a challenge to the B.C. Liberals, who’ve already been fending off calls for them to raise the carbon tax and divert some of the cash flow to transit and other green measures.

A spokesman for the group, Simon Fraser University economist Mark Jaccard, said Monday Clark should immediately adopt California’s vehicle emission standards.

Anthony Swift similarly told InsideClimate News “the devil is in the details” and raised concern about how the oil sands carbon tax will work. Notley’s plan also includes imposition of a carbon tax and phasing out coal-fired power plants. It’s expected to be in time for the 2016-17 provincial budget Premier Rachel Notley told reporters.

“As we are meeting, there are literally tens of thousands of Canadians who have been laid off of their jobs in [the oil and gas] sector”, Wall says. “And maybe some dried cowpies, too”. However, it also tacitly embraces the existence of the oil sands industry, which apparently is why some oil companies there were quick to sign off on her new policy.

But as remarkable as it was for the likes of both oilpatch billionaire Murray Edwards, Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.’s chairman, and former USA vice president Al Gore, an outspoken advocate for tougher climate action, to back the plan, not everyone is singing its praises.

Still, Suncor Energy Inc. chief executive Steve Williams, Shell Canada head Lorraine Mitchelmore, Cenovus Energy Inc.

Out of interest, below is a graphic from Canada’s CBC Calgary on the carbon profile of Alberta’s oilsands.