Alberta has released its long-awaited report on climate change policy. Here are a few quick facts about the new policy announced Sunday by the Alberta government:
Main thrust
Broad-based carbon tax of $30 a tonne by 2018; phase-out of coal-fired power by 2030; hard cap of 100 megatonnes on all oilsands emissions.
Watch below: Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says the carbon price will be revenue neutral
Effect on families
Gas, fuel, power bills to rise about $500 a year by 2018; policy promises at least partial rebates for about 60 per cent of Alberta families.
READ MORE: Alberta climate change plan – ‘War on coal’, ‘unfair hit’ or positive step forward?
Effect on industry
Emissions cap will be almost entirely taken up when projects now in the pipeline are built, meaning future expansion will have to be done by reducing energy use per barrel of oil; renewable energy to be 30 per cent of Alberta mix by 2030.
Effect on climate
No specific emissions reductions set; policies projected to reduce emissions from business as usual by about seven per cent by 2020 and about 16 per cent by 2030; Alberta’s total emissions to start falling in 2020.
Effect on politics
Alberta emissions about one-third Canadian total, so province’s plan is key to Canadian position at upcoming Paris conference; plan also expected to reduce market resistance to export of Alberta oilsands products.
READ MORE: Reaction to Alberta’s ‘ambitious’ climate change plan
Comments