Alberta, which produces most of Canada's crude oil, will ban renewable power projects on prime agricultural land and erect buffer zones to ensure wind turbines do not spoil scenic views, the provincial government said on Wednesday.
The province gave few details and said more announcements would follow, prompting one green group to complain that "an uncertainty bomb" had been dropped on a once booming sector.
Last year, Alberta temporarily halted approvals of major new projects amid concerns over renewables' reliability and land use, cooling investment in the industry and challenging the federal Liberal government's clean energy ambitions.
The western province has led the country in building renewable capacity and is on track to eliminate combustion of coal for power this year, six years ahead of plan. Alberta's right-of-center government said the pause on approvals would be lifted on Thursday but it would from now on take an "agriculture first" approach with proposed projects.
"We need to ensure that we're not sacrificing our future agricultural yields, or tourism dollars, or breathtaking viewscapes to rush renewables development through," Premier Danielle Smith told a press conference in Edmonton.
Smith, complaining renewable projects are not as reliable as gas-fired plants, says Ottawa's drive to cut carbon emissions could wreck the provincial energy industry.
Alberta will bar renewable generation projects on land it deems has excellent or good irrigation capability and will set up buffer zones of a minimum of 35 km (22 miles) around protected areas or what the government considers pristine views.
New wind turbine projects will no longer be permitted within those buffer zones. More work needs to be done on the overall policy, which will not be finalized until end-2024.
"(This) has dropped an uncertainty bomb on renewable project investors and developers in Alberta ... The new path forward leaves even more unanswered questions for the industry," said Evan Pivnick of the Clean Energy Canada group.
Alberta generates most of its electricity from natural gas and produces more than 82% of the country's crude oil.
The government, citing concerns about the cost of cleaning up renewables projects once they have shut down, says developers will have to put up a bond or security.
In a note to clients, RBC Dominion Securities analyst Nelson Ng said the new rules could slow the pace of development.
George Chalal, one of just two federal Liberal legislators in Alberta, said Smith was "continuing her ideological crusade against renewables" that would kill jobs.
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canadas-alberta-set-ban-renewables-projects-prime-land-report-2024-02-28/
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31 w
Alberta should be leading the way in clean energy innovation, not hindering it.
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36 w
Are these people out of their minds!! How can they ban renewable energy projects. Don't they want whats best for the planet?
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35 w
@chris_ngatia This is an exact example of what we call priorities upside down!!!!
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36 w
Dear Boniface Kuria Your climate warning has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to Alberta Government by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
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36 w
I would not expect any responsible government to backtrack on clean energy products.
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36 w
I'm deeply concerned by Alberta's decision. This decision not only undermines Canada's clean energy ambitions but also risks exacerbating the climate crisis. 🌱
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36 w
Doesn't make sense at all
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36 w
This is very unfortunate .This are the countries which are nagging us behind when it comes to providing solution to climate change .I know the Alberta government know the dangers of fossil fuel, they are just assuming it in the name of making profit .An immediate action should be taken
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36 w
This is very disappointing, this could limit opportunities for sustainable development. ⚠⚠
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36 w
This decision by Alberta to ban some renewable energy projects is heartbreaking, as it may hinder the progress towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sector.
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36 w
@walter_lungayi I agree.
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36 w
It's disappointing to see this backward step in Alberta. I'm worried about the impact it will have on the environment and the ability to combat climate change.
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36 w
This is quite insensitive stopping renewable energy projects yet that would otherwise impact on climate positively
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36 w
@johnte_ndeto you wonder what the thought process of such individuals is
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36 w
Why would they oppose something that is meant to bring up restoration for the planet?
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36 w
This is complete lack of priority
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36 w
We can reach a compromise where these scenic views are kept, agricultural land is not tampered with but we also produce renewable energy like through windmills and solar panels. Even hydro power will not affect either of the things they're concerned about if they should be concerned if the first place.
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36 w
@munene_mugambi In such a case a compromise is needed and I hope they will reconsider this decision and compromise
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36 w
@edwin_wangombe We should not vote for leader with climate change denial.....who only think about making money.
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36 w
It is saddening to see when the rest of the world is transitioning to renewable energy Alberta is at the forefront of banning these important projects.. this is bad
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36 w
@edwin_wangombe totally disappointing how ignorant their leadership can be.
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36 w
This is not a good idea
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36 w
@rotich_kim It is a terrible idea that will lead us closer to the tipping point
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36 w
This is horrifying how can you ban the solution toward climate crisis. Fossil fuel should be ban and not renewable energy.
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36 w
@chris_ndungu It is like digging your own grave.
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36 w
@chris_ndungu Well said ... this climate warning should get to the leadership of Alberta ASAP
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36 w
This should not be encourage we need to advocate for renewable energy
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36 w
@rotich_kim More renewable projects in Alberta mean a clean and sustainable energy supply that will put an end to the dependence on fossil fuels... I wish they knew the benefits of renewable energy
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36 w
This sounds absurd, Alberta government must recall this decision. Renewable energy production should be prioritised to fasten the transition to use of clean energy. Relying on natural gas for power poses danger to the environment.
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36 w
@joseph_githinji This are some of the leaders taking us back.
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36 w
@joseph_githinji I wish we could sit with the leadership and advise them as it seems they don't know what they are doing...
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36 w
@joseph_githinji I second..they ought to rethink this decision and channel all available resources and innovation to renewable energy
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36 w
Renewable energy are the solution we need save the planet, and you ban them?? This is absurd!! Ban fossil fuel instead
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36 w
@elizbeth_gathigia Well said
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36 w
@elizbeth_gathigia Well said... In this era the only thing we should focus on banning is fossil fuels
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36 w
@elizbeth_gathigia they should be supportive rather than destroying whatever hope we had left.
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36 w
@elizbeth_gathigia Alberta government should not be doing opposite of what other countries are doing, they should be stopped as soon as possible
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36 w
@elizbeth_gathigia talk of misplaced priorities!