Phasing out coal in Alberta was supported by good policy design driven by carbon pricing and regulations with clear targets that offered necessary certainty to the industry and stakeholders
Coal accounted for 80 per cent of Alberta’s electricity grid in the early 2000s and it still amounted to 60 per cent just 10 years ago. When phasing out coal was just an idea being batted around, many said it couldn’t be done. This is not dissimilar to the rhetoric today around decarbonizing the grid. But Alberta’s experience phasing out coal shows environmental progress of this magnitude is possible.
So no coal… just means now they’re using other non-renewable resources to generate their power. Either in the form of natural gas to supplement processes, or in the form of all the minerals/materials required to build/maintain wind/solar infrastructure.
“Natural” gas is still a fossil fuel, still emits byproducts we dont want in the atmosphere, and has become the primary form of green-washing industries. It must be safe because they named it “natural” right?!
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So no coal… just means now they’re using other non-renewable resources to generate their power. Either in the form of natural gas to supplement processes, or in the form of all the minerals/materials required to build/maintain wind/solar infrastructure.
“Natural” gas is still a fossil fuel, still emits byproducts we dont want in the atmosphere, and has become the primary form of green-washing industries. It must be safe because they named it “natural” right?!
for sure, but at least its NOT coal.
Natural gas has ~1/2 the emissions, so a win is a win.
Hopefully the trend continues, and they move from NG to something truly renewable.