Ottawa was always flexible on clean-energy rules, despite Alberta concerns: Wilkinson | CityNews Calgary

Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says the federal authorities is open to extending the deadline for present pure gasoline vegetation to function with out emissions-trapping expertise.

He says that negotiation was underway earlier than Alberta Premier Danielle Smith moved yesterday to invoke her new Sovereignty Act, which she says permits the province to choose out of the proposed clean-electricity laws.

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the act is a symbolic political gesture with no foundation in regulation or Canada’s Constitution.

And Wilkinson says he’s baffled by the entire thing, as a result of Ottawa has made clear that it understands province’s issues about how some newer gasoline vegetation would possibly find yourself as stranded property if the laws aren’t adjusted.

The draft laws had been tabled in the summertime and require any energy plant that creates greenhouse-gas emissions to both shut or set up emissions abatement by 2035.

But gasoline vegetation which might be constructed and start working earlier than 2025 can run with out abatement for 20 years from their opening date, and Wilkinson says the federal government is extending that interval to handle provincial issues.

This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Nov. 28, 2023.

The Canadian Press