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Alberta restricts renewable energy projects amidst fight with Trudeau

Robert Tuttle, Bloomberg February 29, 2024

(Bloomberg) 鈥 Alberta is barring renewable-energy projects on certain types of agricultural lands and scenic areas as the oil-producing province鈥檚 conservative government pushes back against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau鈥檚 clean-energy goals.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith (Photographer: Gavin John/Bloomberg)

Renewable developments won鈥檛 be allowed on the two highest-quality classes of agricultural land unless the developer can prove that crops and livestock can coexist with the projects, Alberta鈥檚 government said Wednesday. Wind projects also won鈥檛 be allowed within 35-kilometer (22-mile) 鈥渂uffer zones鈥 around 鈥減ristine viewscapes鈥 designated by the province.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has opposed Trudeau鈥檚 push to eliminate carbon emissions from power generation by 2035 and reduce emissions from the oil and gas industry. Smith鈥檚 government paused approvals of new wind and solar developments in August to review the province鈥檚 regulations regarding land use and other issues, and she has said Alberta needs natural gas-fired generation to back up such projects.

Renewables 鈥渁re not the silver bullet for Alberta鈥檚 electricity needs,鈥 Smith said at a news conference.

The regulations released Wednesday also require developers to post bonds for reclamation of the projects.

Alberta is Canada鈥檚 biggest oil- and gas-producing province and holds the world鈥檚 third-largest crude reserves in its oil-sands region.

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