An Update on Alberta Climate Change and Other Policy Initiatives

The Honorable Rob Renner, Minister of Environment for the Canadian Province of Alberta, discussed the province’s climate change strategy and how it is meeting the environmental challenges of large industrial development.

In his speech, Mr. Renner discussed several steps being taken by Alberta as a global energy leader with a commitment to being an environmental leader.  Alberta has a long history of conventional energy and investing in oil sands.  Alberta’s oil sands contain 173 billion barrels of economically recoverable oil.  The oil sands are a critical resource domestically and beyond Alberta’s borders.  The province will to invest $16 billion into oil sands, which will open opportunities for job growth.

The Minister indicated that now is the time for leadership in the areas of secure and affordable energy.  Alberta’s energy must be developed with the best technology available and must have a visionary and pragmatic approach.  It is an effort that will take leadership from Alberta, Canada, and all of North America.   Mr. Renner adamantly expressed Alberta’s “crystal clear commitment to carbon capture and storage” and that we all share the responsibility for climate change.