Alberta farmers may play a role in helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased government investment in wind, solar, geothermal and bioenergy technology.
While investment in clean energy technology is only a small part of Alberta premier Ed Stelmach’s green energy plan, it will all add up to help reduce greenhouse gases, he said.
The plan announced Jan. 24 allows Alberta’s greenhouse gas emissions to rise for another 12 years, then promises to cut them by 50 percent over the next 42 years. By that time, the government expects overall emissions to be 14 percent below 2005 levels.
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“There’s already more than enough hot air surrounding the issue of climate change. I’m not going to add to it with empty political rhetoric and targets I know we can’t achieve,” said Stelmach during a news conference after the announcement.
Carbon capture is expected to make up about 70 percent of the emission reductions by 2050.
Environment minister Rob Renner said Alberta has three Nobel Prize winning scientists working in the area of carbon capture, but he noted any technology developed won’t be implemented for several years.
Dan Woynillowicz, a senior policy analyst with the Pembina Institute, said Stelmach’s plan is “shockingly irresponsible. It continues to delay action and promises only a plan to plan.”
Alberta is the largest greenhouse gas polluter in Canada, producing close to one third of Canada’s emissions.
NDP leader Brian Mason said the plan is gambling money on unproven technology and suggested more money should be spent on proven technology such as solar and wind.
Rod Scarlett with Wild Rose Agricultural Producers said the plan might benefit farmers especially with alternative energy and bioenergy technology. Incentives to expand renewable and alternative energy use are expected to account for 18 percent of Alberta’s reductions by 2050.
Details of the energy conservation and efficiency plans will be released in the spring.
