Changes to Alberta's emissions regulations a good start

CALGARY — Ed Whittingham, executive director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the Alberta government’s plan to strengthen the province’s main climate policy, the Specified Gas Emitters Regulation (SGER):

“Today’s announcement is a first step toward establishing a more credible climate strategy in Alberta. The Alberta government’s commitments to set a higher price and target for carbon pollution following a set schedule, and to take further action following broad-based consultation, are both encouraging.

“Of course, it will take more than the changes announced today for Alberta to credibly do its part to tackle climate change. Reducing overall emissions from the oil and gas sector, accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity, increasing the supply of renewable energy, and promoting energy efficiency are all important aspects of developing a climate change strategy of which Albertans can be proud.

“We recognize the quick and decisive action that Premier Notley and Minister Phillips have taken to strengthen Alberta’s emissions regulations using the tools it has in place, and we look forward to seeing a more comprehensive climate strategy developed later this year.”

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