Brian Zinchuk is editor and owner of Pipeline Online
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault announcing the new social cost. Twitter/Steven Guilbeault
On May 2, Premier Scott Moe described the proposed Clean Electricity Standard as “impossible for Saskatchewan.” As the proposal currently stands, Canada would not allow fossil fuels like natural gas or coal for power production beyond 2035 except in exceptional circumstances. This past winter, up to 86 per cent of Saskatchewan’s power came from natural gas and coal.
Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault responded in an open letter, posted on social media, on May 3.
This is that letter, verbatim:
Affordability is at the heart of our approach to creating a cleaner electricity grid. The numbers offered by the premier are entirely baseless and untrue. In fact, the reality is the opposite from what he’s saying. As stated in the discussion paper on creating a cleaner electricity grid, this is about working with provinces and territories “to be able to plan and operate their electricity systems in a way that will continue to reliably deliver affordable electricity to Canadians.” Promoting fear about the impact on rates is irresponsible, especially given that the regulations haven’t even been developed.
Creating a cleaner electricity grid is about creating cleaner air and making sure homes and businesses have access to affordable power. Saskatchewan and SaskPower have already shown significant investment and leadership in carbon capture technologies. And technology has advanced to the point where clean electricity projects are becoming cost competitive with fossil fuel alternatives. It’s about creating quality long-term jobs within a stronger economy, while cutting the pollution causing climate change.
The bottom line is our Government is eager to work with Saskatchewan on creating a grid, that will support jobs and keep energy rates affordable for the long-term. To that end, budget 2023 proposed $40 billion electricity sector investments, including a 15% tax credit for non-emitting electricity generation, $20 billion in low-cost financing from the Canada Infrastructure Bank, and targeted funding where needed. The federal pollution pricing system on heavy emitters in Saskatchewan is also set to return hundreds of millions towards Saskatchewan’s utilities that can be re-invested in affordable clean electricity.
The Hon. Steven Guilbeault
Minister of the Environment and Climate change
- 0067 PFM SaskWorks Payroll Investment Plan0067 PFM SaskWorks Payroll Investment Plan
- 0066 WBPC Promo video 30 seconds0066 WBPC Promo video 30 seconds
- 0065 Anova Resources field operator Oxbow0065 Anova Resources field operator Oxbow
- 0064 Estevan OTS0064 Estevan OTS
- 0063 Turnbull Excavating hiring crusher0063 Turnbull Excavating hiring crusher
- 0062 TED_EPAC_Technology_300062 TED_EPAC_Technology_30
- 0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask
- 0060 Arizona Lithium Lease building0060 Arizona Lithium Lease building
- 0059 Southeast College Heavy Equipment Operator0059 Southeast College Heavy Equipment Operator
- 0058 Royal Helium Steveville opens anonymous rocket0058 Royal Helium Steveville opens anonymous rocket
- 0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office
- 0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click Before You Dig large text0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click Before You Dig large text
- 0052 Predator Inspections0052 Predator Inspections
- 0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly
- 0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar
- 0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan
- 0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build
- 0032 IWS Summer hiring rock trailer music
- 0022 Grimes winter hiring
- 0021 OSY Rentals S8 Promo
- 0018 IWS Hiring Royal Summer
- 0015 Latus Viro0015 Latus Viro
- 0013 Panther Drilling PO ad 03 top drive rigs
- 0011
- 0006 JK Junior
- 0002 gilliss casing services0002 gilliss casing services
- 9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX
- 9001