Saskatchewan, Federal Government Work Together on Equivalency Agreement

Released on November 28, 2016

The Province of Saskatchewan and 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 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 carbon capture and storage (CCS) to trap carbon dioxide and store it.

“This agreement is good news for Saskatchewan’s environment and the provincial economy,” Environment Minister Scott Moe said. “We can proceed with our aggressive plan to move to 50 per cent renewable energy generation capacity by 2030, cutting emissions by 40 per cent 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.”

“I’m very pleased to work with the province of Saskatchewan toward an equivalency agreement that makes sense for them and that considers the innovative steps they’re taking toward renewable electricity and lower emissions electricity sources,” said Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna. “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.”

Through an equivalency agreement, the province would be allowed to meet or improve upon federal emission requirements over time on a electricity system-wide basis, as opposed to 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 regulation 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 has a significant public commitment to renewable energy.

Quick facts:

Under section 10 of Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, 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 the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). Saskatchewan will establish regulations under its Management and Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Act.

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For more information, contact:

Ron Podbielski
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6595
Email: ron.podbielski@gov.sk.ca

Caitlin Workman
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Phone: 819-938-9436

Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Phone: 819-938-3338

Saskatchewan, Federal Government Work Together on Equivalency Agreement

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