Stelmach Plans Green Alberta

[geoffrey]

Some exciting news today out of E-Town:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Premier Ed Stelmach teamed up in Edmonton on Thursday to proclaim a new era in green governance, unveiling Alberta's new greenhouse gas targets and $156 million in federal cash to aid in trimming emissions.

Well, we got our share, that's nice of them. The funny thing is, we're going to like get more results per dollar than Quebec or Ontario, wait and see on that one.

It continues:

But a showdown may quickly loom between the Tory cousins, as the prime minister served notice his government's soon-to-be- released emissions requirements will trump anything introduced by the provinces.

Alberta's new climate change legislation calls for large emitters to slice their greenhouse gas emissions intensity (carbon dioxide per barrel) by 12 per cent between July 1 (when regulations take effect) and Dec. 31, 2007, or be forced into two other compliance options, including a technology fund.

Actually, Harper is playing this all wrong. If he's strong armed with Alberta, we'll smack him back. Look at the PC's...

We're the only province doing anything, he should encourage that and ask other provinces to look at our example. We're the only province in Canada with legislation for hard cap carbon emissions limits on industry.

12% intensity in 6 months? Let's see Ontario try that at the GM plant.

Go Stelmach on this one.

Then here is the bombshell in my view. Harper pulls a Trudeau!

"We're going to bring in a national program that will apply across the country," Harper said. "We'll treat all regions and sectors equitably and those will be the minimum standards we will expect in every province in Canada."

National.... program... energy...

Program... national... energy...

Energy... national.... program???

Oh no, no no... National... Energy... Program.

Back off Harper. It's not your game to play.

Source: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/story.html?id=69d28cff-51ab-45f4-ad16-cd781721ea97&k=23635