Image from Canadian Press

By Connor Gunn/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Alberta to “reach emissions reduction goal by 2025”

Jan 26, 2022 | 1:21 PM

EDMONTON, AB – The Government of Alberta will reportedly reach its “emissions reduction goal by 2025,” the provincial release reads.

In the province’s first progress report on methane emissions reductions from Alberta’s oil and gas sector, data shows that methane emissions from these operations decreased by about 34 per cent between 2014 and 2020.

Officials with the government say based on these estimates, Alberta will meet its target to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 45 per cent from 2014 levels by 2025.

Jason Nixon, Minister of Environment and Parks, says developing and exploring emissions-reducing technology will create jobs and diversify the economy.

“Alberta is making remarkable headway on cutting methane emissions through our real-world approach and strong provincial requirements. By focusing on tangible results, Alberta is reducing methane in our atmosphere while increasing natural gas production and the societal benefits that come from growing our resources.”

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The province has released additional information on the funding of methane programs and the “milestone methane agreement.”

Funding for methane programs

Investing in technology, innovation, and scientific research are central to Alberta’s approach to reducing methane emissions. Alberta offers a number of programs that are helping the oil and gas sector improve methane emissions monitoring and management, including the Baseline and Reduction Opportunity Assessment Program.

Due to high interest and uptake, Alberta’s government is adding $5 million from the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund to this $10-million program. This brings Alberta’s total TIER fund commitment for oil and gas sector methane programs to $57 million.

Milestone methane agreement

Alberta’s equivalency agreement with the Government of Canada on methane emissions came into force in 2020. This agreement keeps Alberta in charge of regulating methane emissions.

Without it, both provincial and federal regulations would apply in Alberta, increasing red tape and imposing additional costs onto Alberta’s energy sector.

More information on the province’s emissions reduction plan can be found at Reducing methane emissions.