â–º Listen Live

HomeNewsAlberta and Ontario working together towards cleaner energy

Alberta and Ontario working together towards cleaner energy

Alberta and Ontario are teaming up to fight climate change.

The Premiers of both provinces announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Thursday, May 26, between Alberta’s Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation (CCEMC) and the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE).

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says the two organizations are already working together.

“For instance, Ontario-based, Morgan Solar, has been jointly funded by the CCEMC and the OCE. The CCEMC’s $10 million commitment is helping build a 10 megawatt project in southern Alberta. The project is expected to come online in 2018 and will employ over 500 workers.”

- Advertisement -

The MOU creates an inter-provincial alliance to accelerate and develop clean-tech initiatives, and commits the provinces to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, developing renewable energy and energy storage, and fostering new and innovative uses for carbon dioxide.

“The MOU creates joint funding opportunities to further collaborations and to share expertise, technology, and energy between our provinces. It’s part of the collaborative approach that our country must take if we are going to meet our pollution-reduction targets, and create new economic opportunities in the energy and clean-tech sectors,” explains Ontario Premier, Kathleen Wynne.

During the press conference held to announce the MOU, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley also mentioned the recently tabled, Climate Leadership Implementation Act, in the the legislature for government debate.

She says, “Some argue that we should do nothing about climate change. They say that climate change is either not real, or at least, not caused by humans. There is a word for this; it is denial.”

According to the provincial government, if passed, the proposed legislation would set in law Alberta’s carbon levy and carbon levy rebate; ensure revenue from the carbon levy is invested into actions that address climate change; and establish Energy Efficiency Alberta (provincial agency that will develop and deliver provincial-scale energy efficiency and small scale renewable programs and services).

The $20 per tonne carbon levy would take effect on January 1, 2017.

So far, Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan is widely supported in both the energy industry and in civil society.

- Advertisment -
- Advertisment -
- Advertisement -

Continue Reading