Calgary — Amanda Bryant, senior analyst at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the Government of Alberta's technical submission on methane:
“Draft amendments to the federal oil and gas methane regulations bring Canada into greater alignment with international best practices by taking reasonable, necessary steps to address an urgent problem. Ambitious policy to drive down oil and gas methane emissions is critical because methane is a powerful climate warmer with serious associated air quality and health harms. Canada’s methane regulations leverage proven solutions to achieve a 75% reduction in oil and gas methane from 2012 levels by 2030.
“Canada’s constitutional right to regulate oil and gas methane is established. This is not a new piece of regulation; it amends existing regulations, the constitutionality of which Alberta has already recognized by seeking and achieving equivalency. If the Government of Alberta believes a made-in-Alberta approach would be superior, we urge it to begin regulatory development to strengthen its provincial methane regulations and seek equivalency.
“Methane mitigation is cost-effective. Since methane is the main component of natural gas, keeping it in the pipe means preserving saleable product. According to federal modelling, the cost of compliance with the regulation would represent an increase of just 3% in annual industry expenditures. The social benefit of avoided damages from climate change would be nearly double the cost to industry. Canada’s strong policy approach will likewise make its otherwise high-carbon oil and gas more competitive – not less – in a shrinking global market that will increasing favour low-carbon fuels.
“We have effective solutions for oil and gas methane emissions. It makes sense to use them. Instead of opposing and obstructing federal climate policies, the Government of Alberta needs to focus on delivering on the commitments in its Emissions Reduction and Energy Development Plan, including the considered 75-80% methane reduction target.”
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Contact
Laurence Miall
(English / français)
Communications Manager
Pembina Institute
587-606-4185 or 438-878-1703
