In a statement, Federal Environment Minister John Baird added Canada will ban the construction of dirty coal-fired power plants by 2012. Canada plans to achieve its goal of reducing national carbon emissions by 20% by 2020.

In response, Alberta said that while it supports Ottawa’s co-operative approach to reducing greenhouse gases, it is also “pleased the federal government is signaling it will respect provincial jurisdiction as it moves forward to address climate change.”

Premier Ed Stelmach said: “The federal government is following Alberta’s lead when it comes to regulating industrial greenhouse gas emissions. The federal approach supports Alberta’s position that carbon capture and storage will be the cornerstone of our emissions reduction strategy.”

In 2007, Alberta said it became the first in North America to legislate emission reductions for large industrial facilities. Since then, Alberta and other provinces have insisted that Ottawa’s proposed plans should align with any existing provincial approach.

Both the federal and Alberta government have taken a similar approach by focusing on intensity-based reductions that balance the need for emission reductions with the goal of sustaining the economy.

“We have concerns about how Ottawa’s plans will affect our oil and gas sectors. However, the latest announcement by the federal Environment Minister signals he has heard our message about being flexible on timelines and implementation. As the primary regulator, Alberta will continue to work with industry and the federal government to ensure our plans are aligned,” said Stelmach.

Alberta recently announced its 2008 climate change strategy that will cut projected greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2050 as part of a long-term plan that focuses on carbon capture and storage, consumer incentives and greener energy production.

Under Alberta’s strategy, the province will set up a government-industry council to report back by fall on how to implement carbon capture and storage.

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