Climate the focus of Alberta fall sitting
EDMONTON Alberta’s climate change plan will be front and centre next week when politicians return to the legislature for the fall sitting.
Government house leader Brian Mason said Thursday there will legislation and new details on a variety of previously announced environmental initiatives.
“This fall we will continue passing legislation to bring our groundbreaking climate leadership plan to life,” Mason told reporters at the legislature.
“It’s a plan which diversifies our economy and creates new jobs while protecting our energy industry.
“It’s founded on the conviction that this province can be an environmental leader among the world’s energy producers.”
Premier Rachel Notley’s government is to introduce legislation to cap annual oilsands greenhouse gas emissions at 100 megatonnes.
There will be more details on the government’s pledge to end coal-fired electricity generation and introduce more renewable energy sources.
“We’ve set a target of ensuring 30 per cent of the province’s electricity comes from renewable sources like wind, hydro and solar by the year 2030,” said Mason.
“In this session, we will introduce legislation to shape the required framework to make that happen.”
Mason said the province will continue to fight for a pipeline to get Alberta’s oil a better price on global markets.
Parts of the climate change plan have already passed and will soon be put into practice. On Jan. 1, a broad-based carbon tax kicks in, raising prices of gas at the pumps and home heating bills.