Stung by Keystone reversal, Canadian province doubles down on renewable energy

[ashling]

http://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-keystone-reversal-canada-renewable-20151122-story.html

Ater getting a “major wake-up call” from the U.S. government in its rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline project, the leader of the Canadian province of Alberta announced an aggressive climate-change plan Sunday that sets emission limits for the oil sands and begins the transition from coal to renewable electricity sources.

“This is the day we step up, at long last, to one of the world’s biggest problems — the pollution that is causing climate change,” Rachel Notley, the premier of the western Canadian province, said at the announcement in Alberta’s capital, Edmonton. “This is the day we stop denying there is an issue.”

Under the plan, as recommended by a Climate Change Advisory Panel appointed by Notley’s left-of-center New Democrat government after its election six months ago, Alberta plans to phase out all coal emissions by 2030 and replace two-thirds of coal-generated electricity with renewable energy sources, primarily wind power.

Alberta will also introduce an economy-wide carbon tax of 20 Canadian dollars per ton on carbon-dioxide emissions starting in 2017, increasing to 30 Canadian dollars per ton the year after — a price hike estimated to be slightly less than 2 cents per gallon of gasoline. The tax will apply to a wide range of carbon sources, including vehicles and home furnaces.

[LiberalAndProud]

1. Rachel Notley is a force to be reckoned with.

Well done, Alberta!

[tech3149]

2. We could all use a few more like Ms Notley

If there's any province where her views are needed it's Alberta.