The province of Alberta has recently spoken out against the federal government’s electricity targets, calling them “reckless” and potentially harmful to the province’s economy.
According to a report released by the Alberta government, the federal government’s plan to have 90% of Canada’s electricity come from non-emitting sources by 2030 is not feasible and could have serious consequences for the province’s energy sector.
The report, titled “Alberta’s Electricity Future: A Review of Federal Targets and Implications for Alberta,” was commissioned by the province’s energy minister, Sonya Savage, and conducted by consulting firm ICF.
In a statement, Savage said that the report “clearly shows that the federal government’s targets are unrealistic and could have devastating effects on Alberta’s economy.”
The report highlights the fact that Alberta currently relies heavily on coal-fired power plants for its electricity, with 43% of its electricity coming from coal in 2019. The federal government’s plan to phase out coal by 2030 would require the province to replace a significant portion of its electricity supply in a short amount of time.
The report also points out that Alberta’s electricity grid is interconnected with other provinces and states, making it difficult to solely rely on renewable energy sources. It suggests that the federal government’s targets would require significant investments in new infrastructure and technologies, which could result in higher electricity prices for consumers.
The Alberta government has been a vocal opponent of the federal government’s climate change policies, arguing that they unfairly target the province’s energy sector and threaten its economic stability.
In response to the report, federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson stated that the government remains committed to its climate change targets and is willing to work with provinces to find solutions that work for everyone.
The report has sparked a debate between the federal and provincial governments, with both sides standing firm on their positions. It remains to be seen how this disagreement will be resolved and what impact it will have on Alberta’s energy future.
