The Alberta government has submitted legislation to impose a carbon tax, part of its plan announced last year to address climate change (OGJ Online, Nov. 23, 2015).
The tax would be imposed on sales of transportation and heating fuels at the rate of $20/tonne of carbon dioxide emitted in 2017 and $30/tonne in 2018 and after.
Low and middle-income Albertans, representing about two thirds of the population, would be eligible for rebates.
According to a government press statement, “Every penny raised through the carbon levy will be reinvested in Alberta to reduce carbon pollution and provide rebates to help Albertans adjust.”
The legislation also would establish Energy Efficiency Alberta, “an agency that will develop and deliver provincial-scale energy efficiency and small-scale renewable programs and services.”
Still in development is legislation implementing parts of the climate program affecting the oil and gas industry, which includes a cap on greenhouse gas emissions from operations in the oil sands region.