Image via WikipediaCanada moved ahead on Friday with new regulations for cutting emissions from
coal-fired power plants as environmental groups decried one project that they
said won a speedy approval just in time to avoid the tighter
rules.
Environment Minister Peter Kent said the regulations, aimed at gradually
phasing out coal-fired power generation as a way to meet the federal
government's greenhouse gas commitments, will force developers to reduce
emissions to levels that are comparable to high-efficiency gas-fired
plants.
That means new coal-fired plants will have to employ expensive, nascent
technology, such as carbon capture and storage.
"We are taking action in the electricity sector because we recognize the
potential for significant emissions reductions," Kent said in a statement. "We
are committed to build on our strength in the electricity sector and to lead the
world in clean electricity generation."
The regulations will be published on August 27, which will start a 60-day
public comment period. Final rules are scheduled to come into effect on July 1,
2015.
This month, environmental groups launched a court action against Alberta's
utility regulator, arguing it fast-tracked approval of a coal-fired plant
proposed by Maxim Power Corp so the company could avoid the new
regulations.
In their action, the Pembina Institute and Ecojustice said Maxim had said it
received assurances from the federal environment ministry that it could avoid
the new rules if the 500 megawatt plant was built before July 1, 2015.
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