EDMONTON 鈥� Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she would use her province鈥檚 sovereignty act as a last resort to challenge any attempt by the federal government to impose a net-zero electricity grid by 2035.
Smith says achieving net-zero 12 years from now is not realistic, adding that it could lead to power blackouts because Alberta wouldn鈥檛 have a reliable source of baseload power such as natural gas.
Smith鈥檚 government is arguing for a net-zero grid by 2050 and has a working group discussing the issue with federal counterparts.
鈥淲e鈥檙e preparing a sovereignty act motion and I鈥檓 hoping we don鈥檛 have to use it,鈥� Smith told reporters in Calgary Thursday.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we're at the table having these negotiations.
鈥淏ut we are going to defend our constitutional jurisdiction to make sure that we develop our oil and gas industry at our own pace and that we develop our electricity system so that it achieves the goal of reliability and affordability.鈥�
The act is formally titled the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act. It was passed by Smith鈥檚 government last fall as her signature legislation when she took over as premier.
The act's aim is to give the province the power to reject federal rules and programs it deems to be unconstitutionally interfering in areas of province responsibility, such as energy development.
The act's legal validity has not been tested in court.
Smith said her government has also launched a national ad campaign to warn of the dangers of a 2035 deadline.
鈥淲e are running print, radio, television and social media ads along with billboards and bus wraps,鈥� said Smith.
Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault challenged Smith鈥檚 comments and called on the Alberta Electric System Operator, which runs the province's power grid, to show the numbers and assumptions to back its separate announcement Thursday that the 2035 net-zero timeline is unrealistic.
鈥淎ny claim that building a clean electricity grid in Alberta will lead to blackouts is misinformation, designed to inflame not inform,鈥� said Guilbeault in a statement.
鈥淲e believe our goals are aligned and we are keen to engage constructively with the AESO and the Government of Alberta to make sure we get these details right. That鈥檚 one reason why we created the Alberta-Canada working group.鈥�
Guilbeault said Canada does not want to be left behind as the United States and other G7 countries move toward clean electricity.聽
鈥淭his is a huge economic opportunity that we do not want to miss. That鈥檚 why industry and labour groups support it,鈥� said Guilbeault.
鈥淭he draft regulations are designed with at least 12 years before they come into effect, giving time to attract investment and adjust decision-making. Because of the flexibilities we鈥檝e built in, there is no cliff for natural gas plants as a result.鈥�
Alberta Opposition NDP energy critic Nagwan Al-Guneid said Smith needs to show leadership by adapting to a changing global energy landscape.
"While tweaks and more flexibility to the Canada Electricity Regulations are needed, launching another taxpayer-funded campaign based on misinformation and threatening to use the sovereignty act are not the answer," said Al-Guneid in a statement.
"Instead, the provincial government must be at the table negotiating these changes and demanding a significant portion of the $40 billion the federal government is making available (for the transition)."聽
Guilbeault released draft regulations in early August for a net-zero energy grid by 2035 energy.
His department estimates the average household energy bill will increase by $35 to $61 per year by 2040 if the regulations are adopted, but only two per cent of that increase would come as a result of the regulations. Alberta contends the cost to consumers would be much higher.聽
The federal government plans to cover up to half of the cost of the regulations through tax credits, low-cost financing and other funds.
Guilbeault has also said he expects increases to be offset as people move away from fossil fuels for driving and home heating.
The federal government continues to consult on the draft regulations and a final version is expected to be published in January 2025.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 28, 2023.
鈥� with files from Mia Rabson in Ottawa
Dean Bennett, The Canadian Press
