Premier Smith, Minister Guilbeault to meet in Dubai to discuss clean energy regulations
Posted November 28, 2023 4:03 pm.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith will meet face-to-face with the man she’s been in a war of words with — federal environment minister Steven Guilbeault — while they are both in Dubai next week.
It will be their first in-person meeting after she evoked the Alberta Sovereignty Act over potential clean energy regulations.
“We oppose any kind of arbitrary emissions cap,” said Smith.
Premier Smith hopes she and Guilbeault can find common ground when they speak at the UN climate change conference next week.
Tuesday, Smith along with the Alberta environment and energy ministers announced a new incentive for carbon capture as well as celebrating the province reaching methane emissions reduction targets ahead of schedule.
The new Alberta Carbon Capture Incentive Program (ACCIP) is supposed to provide major industries — oil and gas, power generation, hydrogen, petrochemicals, and cement — with costs for new projects aimed at reducing emissions.
“This program is yet another example of Alberta’s leadership in advancing CCUS technology. Alberta is doing its part to encourage CCUS and now we’re calling on Ottawa to cooperate with the provinces and kick-start its investment tax credit to support this important work. ACCIP will help ensure Alberta remains competitive internationally, as competing jurisdictions use similar project incentives,” said Brian Jean, Minister of Energy and Minerals.
The funding for the new projects will be available following federal legislation of the CCUS investment tax credit
It comes just one day after the Alberta government evoked the controversial Alberta Sovereignty Act to ignore any potential federal clean energy regulations. Ottawa proposes a net-zero electricity grid by 2035, while Smith says 2050 is a more realistic target.
In Ottawa, Guilbeault responded that he doubted the war of words between Ottawa and Alberta would ever hit a courtroom.
“Premier Smith said herself yesterday, that the Sovereignty Act is a largely symbolic gesture. You don’t take someone to court over something that’s symbolic,” said Guilbeault.
In response, Alberta’s premier defended the Sovereignty Act and called out the federal minister, claiming the province is serious.
“He will learn that if he does not back down from his outrageous and unconstitutional targets of 2035, it will be more than symbolic. We will proceed with developing our base-load power on natural gas with the best available technology. “
