Alberta releases Climate Leadership Plan

Along with the tax, the Provincial government’s Climate Leadership Plan includes a cap on emissions from the oilsands, and a phase-out of coal-powered electricity generation.

“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.

Backed by representatives from industry and environmentalists, Premier Rachel Notley (only in office for six months) said the province was looking to the future, Kallanish Energy reports.

“We need to show a renewed image of Canada to the world”, said Quebec premier Philippe Couillard.

And considering the weekend’s announcement, that might be just as well. “And I do believe that this is a… particular penalty on oilsands producers that’s much more disadvantageous to them than other industries”. The predicted result is an increase of gasoline prices by roughly 7% by 2018 and an annual increase in heating and transportation costs per household by roughly $300-$600.

That $30 will add about seven cents to the cost of a litre of petrol. The total cost of the increases will be about $500 a year for an average family, according to government calculations. But the Liberals also promise to come up with a plan to actually curb emissions, which in itself will be more than the last two governments managed.

Mr. Edwards even talked about the plan positioning major global energy player Alberta as “climate leader” and “allowing for ongoing innovation and technology in the oil and gas sector”.

He also says that the plan won’t actually reduce carbon emissions at all.

Large emitters will continue to be regulated based on their carbon emissions per barrel of oil, although those requirements will be more stringent.

The New Democrats assured Alberta’s investor-owned power companies that they would not be stuck with suffering heavy losses on stranded coal-fired generating assets shut down before their time.

Outside of Canada’s coal industry circles, the plan has been applauded. “That we don’t look at a situation where an economy wide carbon tax comes into play and people don’t get the rebate until the end of the year, for instance”. Alberta will also phase out coal power plants in the province by 2030. We are going to put capital to work, investing in new technologies, better efficiency, and job-creating investments in green infrastructure.

“As we prepare for Paris and to present a constructive and national front to the world, we need to be mindful of that fact. And maybe some dried cowpies, too”.

Greg Clark, Alberta Party Leader, says he’s broadly in favour of the strategy, but wants to know how the billions will be spent and allocated. On Monday, the association representing Canadian drilling contractors said the province should cut oil and gas royalties to offset the impact on its members of higher carbon fees.

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

“This is an NDP wealth distribution program”, he said.

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

“In Paris a united Canada will demonstrate that we are serious about climate change”, Trudeau told a late-night news conference after meeting with premiers of the 10 provinces and three territories.