Alberta Premier Danielle Smith sent a formal request to Prime Minister Trudeau, asking for an update on his ‘Just Transition’ plan and related environmental agenda.
Last week, Trudeau met with Smith, where Smith told him the targets in the federal Emissions Reduction Plan were “unachievable.”
Smith said that Trudeau was open to discussing an alternative, collaborative plan, but advised her to pursue one immediately.
“The morning following my return to Alberta, I met with several of my ministers regarding this issue and can advise as follows,” Smith said.
Smith attached a formal letter addressed to Trudeau in her tweet.
“The Government of Alberta is prepared to work with the federal government on a coordinated approach for a carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) incentive program for the purpose of net emissions reductions in our province while attracting billions in new investments for Alberta-based oil and gas projects, electricity, manufacturing and other sectors,” Smith’s letter reads.
Smith proposed Alberta would collaborate with the federal government on a carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) incentive program. This program would be aligned with the federal government’s objective of reducing net emissions in Alberta.
“To this end, we propose coordinating a federal CCUS income tax credit with an expansion of our current Alberta Petrochemicals Incentive Program (APIP) to include CCUS projects.”
Smith added she’s willing to apply this approach with other emerging emission reducing technologies, but not until first starting a coordinated CCUS incentive program.
However, Smith said her offer comes with a “non-negotiable condition.”
“It is that the federal government refrain from introducing any new federal legislation or policies that materially impact Alberta’s oil and gas resource development, management or workforce participation without the full involvement, consultation and consent of Alberta,” she said.
“This includes the contemplated Just Transition legislation and implementation of unachievable targets and measures under the federal Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) such as the Clean Electricity Regulations (CER) and oil and gas sector emissions cap.”
“Each of these initiatives, as currently understood, would pose an unconstitutional and existential threat to the Alberta economy and the jobs of hundreds of thousands of Albertans.”
Last month, Smith said Albertans would lose 25% of their economy if the federal government’s Just Transition proposal becomes law under a provincial NDP government.
