UCP candidates Brian Jean and Rebecca Schulz have unveiled two independent reports revealing that Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley’s plan to mandate a net-zero electricity grid by 2035 is the most expensive promise in Alberta political history.
The reports in question come from independent econometrics firm Navius Research and Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO).
Both reports found that if Notley could meet her 2035 target, the cost to Alberta’s economy and ratepayers would be $87 billion, while power bills for families and businesses would increase by 40% more than they otherwise would.
Jean said the plan is unrealistic and “dangerous” to the long-term health and viability of Alberta’s economy.
“Everyone from moms and dads to business owners to farmers would bear the brunt of this reckless policy commitment that comes straight from the desk of Justin Trudeau,” he said at an announcement on Wednesday.
“Notley doesn’t want you to know how much this will cost. Notley probably doesn’t care how much it will cost, because the NDP always seems to never remember that it’s your money.”
Notley committed to moving the province’s electricity grid to net-zero by 2035 ahead of the NDP’s weekend convention in June 2021.
In response to the reports, Notley said the “so-called” study is “flawed in many different ways.” For example, she said the study overestimates the cost of renewable energy by up to 100% and that her party is hearing from industry that they can get it done.
“It doesn’t surprise me at all that Danielle’s message is out there saying it can’t be done,” she said.
“And quite frankly, under her leadership, that is probably true.”
AESO pegged the power generation part of the pledge at $52 billion. Navius Research found that the opportunity cost to the economy would add a further $35 billion between now and 2035, for a total cost of $87 billion.
According to a UCP press release, the plan also means that Alberta will need to shut down or retrofit most of its natural gas power plants that generate the vast majority of electricity for the province. The UCP said the reliability of Alberta’s electricity grid would be compromised because of the drastic shift, leading to potential “brownouts” caused by inconsistent power supply.
In 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he will mandate Canada’s electricity grid be net zero by 2035.
Schulz said Notley is signing onto Trudeau’s unreasonable policies ahead of looking after Alberta families and businesses.
“Rachel Notley says economy and affordability is an issue that matters, but just like the last time, her plan will threaten Alberta’s prosperity and will put additional costs on Albertans,” she said.
Last month, the UCP released an aspirational environmental plan which aspires to carbon neutrality by 2050.
The plan was outlined by Environment Minister Sonya Savage, who said it didn’t contain “random targets” because the government is still studying what’s achievable.
“We have an aspiration to get to net zero,” she said. “Albertans want results, they don’t necessarily want targets and especially targets that aren’t aren’t achievable.”
