Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Power Generation
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Alberta Urban Municipalities Association urge the Province of Alberta to move away from our province’s dependency on coal power by investing in renewable energy and natural gas fired electricity generation and by assisting in developing alternative energy sources through regulation, financial incentives, education, promotion and collaboration with municipalities.
WHEREAS the population of Alberta is expected to continue to grow, as are the number of businesses and other electricity consumers;
WHEREAS electricity use is a significant contributor to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG);
WHEREAS Alberta’s primary source of electrical generation is coal power; which emits high GHGs compared to other sources such as hydro, natural gas, wind or solar, and thus causes Alberta to register a much higher emissions factor than other provinces;
WHEREAS the Government of Alberta is presently reviewing its “2008 Climate Change Strategy” with regard to ongoing efforts and focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
WHEREAS there are high health and environmental costs to the pollution generated by coalfired electricity production which are often borne by individuals and local municipalities;
WHEREAS other provincial governments including Ontario and Nova Scotia have significantly reduced their dependence on coal-fired generation of electricity by various means, demonstrating the transition is possible; and
WHEREAS many municipalities have been investing time and resources into local sustainability initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but have little control over the regulation and province-wide electric system.
• Information provided by The Government of Alberta, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (AESRD) indicates that Alberta is the largest provincial emitter of greenhouse gases in Canada, due not just to our role as a global energy supplier but also because of our reliance on coal-fired electricity generation.
• We need to take action to reduce our environmental footprint. The issue is that humans have substantially increased GHGs by burning fossil fuels, including coal. Scientists now agree that human activity is most likely responsible for most recent temperature increases.
• The AESRD website reports that consultation with Albertans on the province’s 2008 Climate Change Strategy showed that Albertans said they want to take action against climate change. They also said they want to show that the province is doing its part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions entering our atmosphere.
• The Government of Alberta has encouraged Albertans to become more energy efficient, but given that consumer rebate programs were ended in 2012, additional efforts would be appropriate to continue reductions in our ghg production. Facilitating not just conservation, but more focusing on environmentally responsible sources of energy should be considered.
• Experts indicate that the Provincial electricity grid could be transitioned to wind or natural gas powered plants at a cost competitive with that of new coal plants.
• Renewable energy makes up only 10% of the energy used in the world.” If Alberta wishes to be a world leader in energy there is certainly opportunity for leadership in improving investment in renewable energy and stricter regulation of coal fired generation.
• Burning coal is not as efficient as wind or natural gas plants, as only about 40% of the energy in coals is turned into electricity, the remainder goes into the atmosphere or is released into water bodies”,
• The Province of Alberta burns more coal alone than the rest of the country combined. In 2012, 64% of electricity was generated by burning coal. Coal causes more pollution than any other source of electricity. Coal produces a higher level of ghg emissions than any other fossil fuel. “‘ There are both environmental and health impacts on Albertans.
• With coal as the primary electricity generating source, one kWh of electricity in Alberta generates 710 grams of C02. By comparison, British Columbia only generates 30 grams of C02 per kWh. v
• Presently, Alberta has 6 coal plants with IS individual units. The total capacity is over 6,200 MW. These plants accounted for a third of the sulphur dioxide emitted in Alberta in 2011, 10% of the nitrogen oxide, 44% of the mercury from man-made sources, and 6% of fine particulate matter. Many other pollutants are also released. The 43 megatonnes of ghg emissions from coal powered electricity plants are only slightly less than all of the ghg emissions from the oilsands in 2011 (46 megatonnes). The top seven ghg emitters in 2010 in Alberta were all coal fired plants. Five of these plants rank in the top ten ghg emitters in Canada.vn
• Two thirds of the electricity traded in Alberta is from coal fired generation. The City of Red Doer - Resolutions for 2013 AUMA Convention Page 7 of 7
• Canada’s average ghg emissions from electricity generation in 2010 were 190 tIGWh. Alberta’s emissions were more than four times higher due to coal fired generation, at 840 tIGWh.x
• Other provinces including Nova Scotia have reduced reliance on coal-fired electricity generation through government action.
Alberta Energy – June 22, 2015
The ministry did not respond to the specific suggestions in this resolution and instead indicated that Environment and Parks is renewing the provincial climate change strategy and is looking at reducing emissions via energy efficiency, technology and innovation.
AUMA rejects this response.