Funding for a project to seed saline land to grass is among 11 Saskatchewan has submitted to the national Low Carbon Economy Fund, even though Ottawa has said it has to sign on to the climate change framework to be eligible.
Environment Minister Dustin Duncan said he hopes Ottawa changes its mind once it sees the province’s proposed projects.
He said the projects would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 188 million tonnes.
“If this is really about reducing emissions,then there really isn’t a reason why the federal government should deny Saskatchewan these dollars,” Duncan told reporters.
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Saskatchewan hasn’t signed the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change because it includes a carbon tax.
The projects the province wants to undertake include the ministry of agriculture’s $6.5 million proposal to remove 48,000 tonnes of emissions annually through best management practices.
The others are:
- A $20.8 million project to cut 80,000 tonnes of emissions by providing natural gas service to First Nations.
- $9.5 million to cut 50,000 tonnes of emissions through an irrigation woodlot in Biggar.
- $4.5 million for solar power panels at 12 SaskWater facilities throughout the province to reduce 26,000 tonnes of emissions.
- $12.3 million for a zero emissions municipal landfill microgrid project to reduce 93,000 tonnes of emissions by creating biogas-solar energy storage.
- $16.4 million for an emissions-free oilfield microgrid project for a flare gas-solar energy storage facility in southern Saskatchewan to cut emissions by 176,000 tonnes.
- $7 million for a residential home retrofit program for qualified lower income homeowners to save 80,000 tonnes.
- $19 million to lower the base level of power being used in the province and reduce up to 325,000 tonnes through energy efficient technology.
- A Mountain Pine Beetle Surveillance program worth $6.8 million that could remove 23.8 million tonnes of emissions.
- $50 million for an emission reduction innovation and infrastructure program to cut 140 million tonnes of emissions in the oil and gas sector.
- A $48.5 million project for the Kindersley area that would reduce 24 million tonnes of emissions through a gas-gathering, compression and processing system.
