Federal emissions cap a “sucker-punch” to province, Alberta says
The Government of Alberta is calling a federal announcement capping oil and gas emissions one that, “will hurt Canadians.”
On Monday, Ottawa shared that it has drafted regulations to cap pollution, drive innovation and create jobs in the oil and gas industry.
According to the feds, the proposed regulations work by setting a cap on greenhouse gas pollution within the sector, equivalent to 35 per cent below 2019 levels. To achieve this, a cap-and-trade system has been designed to recognize better-performing companies and incentivize those who are higher-polluting to invest in making production cleaner.
“A cap on pollution from the oil and gas sector is a critical part of our thoughtful plan to fight climate change and build a strong economy. As the world moves toward a low-carbon future, the cap will ensure the long-term economic competitiveness of a sector that employs hundreds of thousands of Canadians and drives significant wealth by ensuring Canada will supply products that offer a low-carbon footprint,’ said Jonathan WilkInson, federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.