Saskatchewan, federal government work together on equivalency agreement
News Release
November 28, 2016 – Ottawa, Ontario – Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Office of the Minister of Environment for Saskatchewan
The Province of Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada have reached an agreement in principle to finalize an equivalency agreement for Canada's existing coal-fired regulation. On November 21, 2016, the federal government announced regulatory actions that will accelerate the transition from traditional coal power to clean energy, by 2030. Traditional coal-fired electricity does not use carbon capture and storage (CCS) to trap carbon dioxide and store it.
Once finalized, the federal/provincial equivalency agreement on coal-fired electricity-generation regulations will provide Saskatchewan more flexibility in transitioning to additional renewable energy, including evaluating future opportunities for CCS to trap carbon dioxide and store it.
Through an equivalency agreement, the province would be allowed to meet or improve upon federal-emission requirements over time, on an electricity system-wide basis, as opposed to the regulation of every coal-fired plant.
The agreement in principle recognizes that Saskatchewan will meet the emissions outcomes of the federal government's coal-fired electricity regulations and proposes to take provincial emissions into account, as of July 1, 2015, in establishing the equivalency agreement.
The agreement also acknowledges that the province has introduced CCS "in advance of, and beyond regulatory requirements" and that it has a significant public commitment to renewable energy.
Quotes
"I'm very pleased to work with the province of Saskatchewan towards an equivalency agreement that makes sense for them and that considers the innovative steps they're taking towards renewable electricity and lower-emissions electricity sources. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with all provinces and territories, to find ambitious solutions to climate change as we set ourselves on a sustainable and prosperous path for the future."
– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
"This agreement is good news for Saskatchewan's environment and the provincial economy. We can proceed with our aggressive plan to move to 50 percent renewable-energy generation capacity by 2030, cutting emissions by 40 percent over 2005 levels. Saskatchewan can also continue to use coal in a responsible manner beyond 2030 as long as equivalent emission-reduction outcomes are achieved."
– Scott Moe, Minister of the Environment for Saskatchewan
Quick facts
- Under section 10 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), the federal minister may enter into an equivalency agreement with provinces and territories provided that the provincial approach delivers equivalent or better outcomes than federal regulations.
- Canada will accelerate the timelines in the existing regulations under CEPA. Saskatchewan will establish regulations under its Management and Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Act.
Contacts
Caitlin Workman
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-938-9436
Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll free)
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