Federal government approval for the giant Teck Frontier oil sands mine may only come if Alberta promises to become a zero-net carbon emitter by 2050..The CBC is reporting two sources told them that is the way the government is leaning towards as they try to balance environmental issues with economic development in approving the mine..The feds have already promised Canada will be a net-zero emiiter by 2050 and for them to give the mine the thumbs up, Alberta will have to make the same pledge..A CBC provincial source says the Trudeau government hasn’t brought forward the idea with Alberta yet..Premier Jason Kenney has repeatedly voiced frustration the feds haven’t yet approved the mine in northern Alberta..The $20.6 billion project is expected to create around 7,000 jobs in the construction phase..The project, a “truck and shovel” oil sands mine, “will consist of surface mining operations, a processing plant, tailings management facilities, water management facilities, and associated infrastructure and support facilities,” according to a statement on the company’s website. It’s expected to produce 260,000 barrels of oil a day..“Teck has also reached agreements with all 14 Indigenous communities in the broader Frontier project area.”.The federal government has said they would give an answer on the mine before the end of February..Federal Environment Minister Johnathan Wilkinson hinted last week approval would be based on how Alberta approaches climate change..“With respect to (Frontier), we need to look at all the environmental impacts, we obviously need to look at the economic opportunities, and we need to ensure we’re taking both into account,” Wilkinson said..“Certainly, one of those issues is how does this project fit with Canada’s commitments to achieving the reductions we are committing to (for) 2030, and the net zero commitment to 2050? I would just say again that it’s important that all provinces are working to help Canada to achieve its targets.”.Wilkinson said all provinces, including Alberta, are expected to do their part to help Canada meet those commitments..The UCP government unveiled their industrial emitter plan, TIER (Technology, Innovation and Emissions Reduction system), in Bill 19, passed during the fall legislature session..TIER replaced the NDP’s Climate Leadership Plan by maintaining the price on pollution for large emitters but repealing the price on other businesses and residents. The federal price on carbon for Albertans, excepting large emitters, came into effect January 1, 2020..Under TIER, facilities can either reduce their emissions or; use credits from other facilities, use emissions offsets from non-regulated organizations, or pay into the TIER fund at $30 per tonne..The Alberta government launched its challenge of federal carbon pricing in 2019 and presented arguments Dec. 16-18 in Alberta’s Court of Appeal..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter: Nobby7694
