Details of rebates for Alberta carbon tax unclear

Oil industry leaders were initially supportive of the proposal.

Other measures of Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan include broad programs to improve energy efficiency, support green technological innovations and reduce methane.

“Alberta is leading again”, Ms. Notley told a room of supporters at Edmonton’s science centre.

“We will continue to monitor (the tax spending) as we go forward with it to make sure that we’re getting the outcomes we’re seeking”, said Notley.

CTF Alberta Director Paige MacPherson says, “This new carbon tax is going to be a major hit to Alberta families, Alberta businesses and rural communties”. The U.S. government recently refused a permit to pipeline company TransCanada to build its Keystone XL oil pipeline across the U.S.-Canadian border, citing environmental risks. “Unfairly in my view, the President of the United States claimed that our production is some of the dirtiest oil in the world”.

Greg Flato, a senior research scientist with Environment Canada, wouldn’t comment on what policy changes the government should adopt, but he said a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is needed to stabilize temperatures.

The plan includes a move toward renewable energy sources and natural gas-fired electricity in order to phase out coal.

The Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors cautioned the climate policy could imperil Alberta’s competitiveness, unless it’s offset by lower royalties – something the province is also reviewing.

Alberta’s government has indicated that it expects wind energy to be the primary source of this new renewable energy generation.

The tax will cost the average Alberta family an extra $320 in 2017 and $470 in 2018.

Legislate a cap on oil sands emissions: now, the oil sands sector accounts for approximately one-quarter of Alberta’s annual emissions and these facilities are now charged a levy based on each facility’s historical emissions under the SGER. “Nonetheless, there is so much to do in Canada right now that I want to be part of, and I am excited about it, and I am glad that the Conference Board is a place where we can bring together people to talk about the future and really constructive approaches to finding solutions”. “The changes to the carbon price and the cap that’s put on oil sands, the details are going to matter a lot and we’re keen to be at the table”.

But the potential for a squabble over money didn’t dampen premiers’ enthusiasm Monday for finally having a federal partner in the fight against climate change.

The transition from coal will also lead to more natural gas plants being built in the province.

Clark spoke to reporters at a premiers’ meeting in Ottawa on Monday, where Alberta’s NDP Premier Rachel Notley described the plan to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet.

Paul Boothe, who was the top bureaucrat in Canada’s federal environment department as it developed the country’s emissions standards for coal-fired power plants and its attempt to draft similar oil and gas regulations, said Alberta has taken an important first step with the plan.