Here are a few quick facts about the new climate change policy announced Sunday by the Alberta government:
Main thrust: Broad-based carbon tax of $30 a tonne by 2018; phase-out of coal-fired power by 2030; hard cap of 100 megatonnes on all oilsands emissions.
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Effect on families: Gas, fuel, power bills to rise about $500 a year by 2018; policy promises at least partial rebates for about 60 per cent of Alberta families.
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Effect on industry: Emissions cap will be almost entirely taken up when projects now in the pipeline are built, meaning future expansion will have to be done by reducing energy use per barrel of oil; renewable energy to be 30 per cent of Alberta mix by 2030
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Effect on climate: No specific emissions reductions set; policies projected to reduce emissions from business as usual by about seven per cent by 2020 and about 16 per cent by 2030; Alberta’s total emissions to start falling in 2020.
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Effect on politics: Alberta emissions about one-third Canadian total, so province’s plan is key to Canadian position at upcoming Paris conference; plan also expected to reduce market resistance to export of Alberta oilsands products.
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