Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has vowed not to comply with the federal government’s Clean Electricity Regulations after Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault released a draft of the incoming requirements.
Smith said she would never allow the regulations to be implemented in Alberta on Monday.
“We will never allow these regulations to be implemented here, full stop,” said Smith.
“If it comes down to it, we are going to do our own thing. We have to.”
The regulations, which call on provincial governments to adopt plans to achieve a net-zero electricity grid by reducing reliance on energy sources like natural gas and goal, have been called unrealistic by opponents.
According to Smith, 89% of Alberta’s electricity grid relies on fossil fuels and reaching Ottawa’s proposed target date by 2035 will be impossible without risking widespread blackouts and inaffordability.
“If this were to be implemented in Alberta, we’re looking at massive immediate increases to power bills for every Albertan, making life more expensive for families and businesses,” said Smith.
“So let me be clear, any plan that makes electricity more expensive and less reliable is a bad plan and the Clean Electricity Regulations are an exceptionally bad, poorly thought out and illogical plan,” said Smith.
Smith isn’t the only provincial leader to slam the regulations, she was joined by Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe last week in announcing opposition to the federal plan.
“Trudeau’s net-zero electricity regulations are unaffordable, unrealistic and unconstitutional. They will drive electricity rates through the roof and leave Saskatchewan with an unreliable power supply. Our government will not let the federal government do that to the Saskatchewan people,” said Moe.
Last Thursday, Minister Guilbeault published his first draft of the rules, which he argued were fair and left room for provinces to determine how best to achieve the government’s target date by not specifying which technologies could be employed to reduce emissions.
“What we’re talking about is not a fossil fuel-free grid by 2035. It’s a net zero grid by 2035,” said Guilbeault.
