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The Alberta government is pushing back against Ottawa’s newly-announced emissions cap that will result in the oil and gas industry having to cut emissions by more than one-third from 2019 levels by 2030.
The framework outlining the cap was published early Thursday with draft regulations to come next spring ahead of final regulations to be put in place by 2025.
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It states the oil and gas sector will have to reduce emissions by between 35 to 38 per cent below 2019 levels by 2030.
Those figures can be lowered through the purchase of carbon credits or via contributions to a decarbonization fund that would lower the requirement to between 20 and 23 per cent.
“This federal government’s focus on decarbonizing Canada’s oil and gas sector is both a plan to protect the planet for future generations and to enhance the short and long-term competitiveness of the industry,” reads a. news release from federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson.
The two are holding a news conference Thursday morning.
In response, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Alberta Environment Minister Rebecca Schlulz issued a joint statement, calling Ottawa’s plan a “de facto production cap” and “an intentional attack” on the province’s economy.
“This proposed cap also undermines the unity of our country. Albertans will not tolerate it. Our province is simply done with what amounts to a steady stream of economic sanctions and punitive measures thrown upon our citizens and businesses to intentionally damage their livelihoods,” it reads.
The statement goes on to say Alberta plans to develop “a constitutional shield” in response while continuing with its own emissions reduction program.
Smith and Schulz are also scheduled to speak to the media later Thursday morning.
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— with files from the Canadian Press
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