New Rules to Phase Out Coal and Reduce Natural Gas in Canada

[Selva + 252]

The federal government released its long-awaited draft regulations for the phase-out of coal-fired power in Canada, the first step to fulfilling a central piece of the government’s pledge to “transition to a low-carbon economy” via the Pan-Canadian Framework. But another draft attracted more attention -  performance standards for natural gas electricity generation  which will disable Canada to fulfill the federal target of 90 percent carbon-free electricity by 2030. 

[Adam Varga + 123]

This might be a huge problem for Canada which will not be able to decarbonize its electricity system soon. With a grid on 70 percent on natural gas by 2030, this country won't be harmonized with a climate policy.  

[Vlad Kovalenko + 115]

So they propose to run wind and solar, but without natural gas? Interesting. As much as I know natural gas is the backup source for both, wind and solar, because the sun doesn't always shine and the wind doesn't always blow. 

[Selva + 252]

Canada won't make a big improvement until  2030 when we talk about generating its electricity from non-emitting sources. In 2014 it generated 78 % and some reports already shows that Canada will generate only 80 % till 2030. Only 2% for 16 years. 

[Vlad Kovalenko + 115]

They estimate savings of about $5 billion related to declines in air pollution over the next 12 years and billions in healthcare just to justify their moves which is actually jst a load for us. Clean air is great, but there's no need to rush with phasing out coal and natural gas. 

[Adam Varga + 123]

This plan will just destroy the middle class by raisin energy costs that no one can afford. England is following the same plan and what did they get? An expenses of 30 percent of their income on heating their homes.  

[Brianroy + 1]

On 2/17/2018 at 4:59 PM, Selvedina said:

The federal government released its long-awaited draft regulations for the phase-out of coal-fired power in Canada, the first step to fulfilling a central piece of the government’s pledge to “transition to a low-carbon economy” via the Pan-Canadian Framework. But another draft attracted more attention -  performance standards for natural gas electricity generation  which will disable Canada to fulfill the federal target of 90 percent carbon-free electricity by 2030. 

This creates a unique opportunity in the USA border states with Canada. Does it not?   Since under the new plan by Canada, where Canada (to me) simply cannot meet its own goals of compliance and cannot fully supply its own, the United States maneuver itself into a Canadian Energy supplier with conceivably as many as 30 to 50 initially to as high as several hundred energy plants across the border in the USA along most our our shared length of borders in the lower 48 to meet Canadian needs, and create upwards as 60,000 long term jobs meeting Canadian energy needs, if the USA Federal Government, the local State Governments, and Canada are cooperative to such private investment endeavors.    I am not familiar with the international energy share power grid sales and legal complications on this, so maybe someone else can elaborate the pros and cons of such a hypothesis.  Thanks.