Alberta applauds federal plan to phase-out coal power by 2030

EDMONTON – Alberta’s environment minister says a federal plan to phase out coal-fired electricity helps validate the province’s own goal and demonstrates there’s no going back.

READ MORE: Ottawa announces plan to phase out coal-fired electricity by 2030

Shannon Phillips was responding to the Liberal government’s intention to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by five megatonnes by 2030.

Federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna says the goal is to make sure 90 per cent of Canada’s electricity comes from sustainable sources by that time — up from 80 per cent now.

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Watch Below: Federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna announced Monday that the Liberal government will virtually eliminate the use of traditional coal-fired electricity by 2030.

1:43 Federal government looking to phase out coal power by 2030

Alberta is moving toward phasing out coal-fired electricity by 2030 and replacing it with renewable energy such as wind, solar and hydro.

That transition is already underway and Phillips says that will ensure Alberta’s best interests are served.

Alberta is also implementing a broad-based consumer carbon tax starting Jan. 1.

READ MORE: Alberta NDP’s plan to phase out coal could triple power bills: Coal Association