Coalition pushes province to move on methane rules
NDP needs to fulfil its 2015 promise to cut greenhouse gas, Progress Alberta says
The province isn’t moving fast enough to develop methane regulations, says a coalition of industry, labour and environmental groups.
The coalition is pushing for strong, smart, effective and fair regulations that were promised by the government as part of its climate leadership plan back in 2015.
Progress Alberta is one of the signatories of a letter sent to Premier Rachel Notley urging speedy action on the file.
Executive Director Duncan Kinney called on the government to fulfil its promise to reduce methane by 45 per cent by 2025.
Pipelines suck up too much of the discussion about climate change, Kinney said in Edmonton on Tuesday, while methane flies under the radar.
“This is an issue that’s not getting talked about,” he said.
“Methane is so much more than cow farts.
“It’s an extremely potent greenhouse gas — 86 times more powerful than C02 — and we think the government needs to follow through on its promise.”
Ultimately, the group would like to see regular inspections for methane leaks in the oil and gas industry — a sector that accounts for around 70 per cent of Alberta’s methane emissions.
Federal regulations are on the way, but Kinney said the provincial government needs to act sooner rather than later.
The coalition’s letter urged the province to implement a regulatory system that strengthens the draft federal regulations, thus making Alberta Canada’s leader in methane reduction efforts and keeping good job opportunities in the oil and gas sector from going to waste.
“This is the easiest and cheapest thing we can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and no one is talking about it,” Kinney said.
The Energy Ministry told the Journal on Tuesday its commitment to methane reduction targets hasn’t changed, and it has been working with industry, environmental organizations and academics to develop a plan.
It expects regulations to be posted later this summer.