Released on May 11, 2009
The Government of Saskatchewan today introduced The Management and Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Act in the provincial legislature.
The new legislation will establish a made-in-Saskatchewan plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to meet provincial targets and promote investments in low-carbon technologies.
"The time for talk is over" Environment Minister Nancy Heppner said. "Our government is taking real action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Saskatchewan is a world leader in carbon capture and storage. We have a strong foundation in research and development and will build on that to reach our goals."
Saskatchewan has adopted the federal target of a 20 per cent hard cap on emissions reductions by 2020. Heppner also announced that she and federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice have signed an Agreement in Principle to negotiate an equivalency agreement with a view to achieving equivalent environmental outcomes under provincial regulation.
"An equivalency agreement with the federal government is key to Saskatchewan retaining compliance payments in the province for investments in low carbon technologies," Heppner said.
Key elements of The Management and Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Act include:
- The establishment of a Saskatchewan Technology Fund to administer carbon compliance payments received from large emitters and to finance investments in low-emitting technologies and processes that reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
- The establishment of a Climate Change Foundation to promote research and development and demonstration of low-carbon technologies, encourage adaptation and foster public education and awareness.
Also announced today were the new parameters for the Go Green Fund. Proposals will have to show demonstrable outcomes in emission reductions, adaptation or conservation.
"The Technology Fund, the Climate Change Foundation and the Go Green Fund are essential components of our plan," Heppner said. "It is important that we provide substantial resources for the development of technologies to reduce our emissions and then to commercialize that technology for the benefit of other parts of the world."
The province has engaged in consultations with both industry and environmental organizations. Heppner committed to continuing the consultations on the development of both climate change regulations and the funding criteria for the Technology Fund and the Climate Change Foundation.
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For more information, contact:
Michele McEachern
Environment
Regina, Phone: 306-787-0412