Toronto, ON — Bryan Purcell, VP Policy and Programs, The Atmospheric Fund (TAF) made the following statement in response to Canada’s clean electricity regulations (CER) announcement:
“Today’s federal announcement of the draft clean electricity regulations demonstrates the government’s commitment to a net-zero electricity grid by 2035, and sends an important signal to provinces, grid operators, domestic industry, and foreign investors.
“TAF commends the government for setting a mandatory carbon intensity standard for electricity. The proposed regulations will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 342 megatonnes by 2050 while ensuring Canadians can still enjoy a reliable and affordable electricity system.
“Air pollution from electricity generation results in approximately 150 premature deaths and $1.2 billion in health impacts annually. While the proposed regulation may not completely eliminate those impacts, they will be significantly reduced. The proposed regulation will also accumulate $29 billion in net benefits for Canadians by 2050, avoiding climate damages of $87.5 billion by 2050.
“Here in Ontario, TAF-commissioned research shows there are multiple paths to produce a net-zero grid by 2035, which will help the province meet rising electricity demands with reliable, affordable energy solutions. Today’s regulatory direction from the federal government will give municipalities, the province, and businesses further confidence and predictability needed to align with and invest in the net-zero transition.
“It is especially encouraging that the regulations include a compliance mechanism that assesses the full life cycle carbon impact of hydrogen, given the high carbon intensity of most hydrogen sources. Similarly, more clarity and stringency are needed under the standard to treat unproven and prohibitively expensive technologies like carbon capture and storage.
“We also urge the government to specify how generators will offset any allowable emissions and to limit the end-of-life exemption for existing fossil fuel generation to 15 years. Such details will be critical to the government avoiding carbon lock-in and delivering on its commitment to achieve a truly net–zero grid.
“Overall, this draft policy is welcome progress toward a clean and fair electricity system. By clarifying exemptions and strengthening the regulation, the government can ensure it delivers its intended impact.”
Resource: https://taf.ca/custom/uploads/2022/08/TAF-CER-Comments_August2022.pdf
UPDATE AUGUST 19, 2023: Stakeholders can submit detailed comments on the full draft regulations here: https://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2023/2023-08-19/html/reg1-eng.html
About The Atmospheric Fund
The Atmospheric Fund (TAF) is a regional climate agency that invests in low-carbon solutions for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area and helps scale them up for broad implementation. We are experienced leaders and collaborate with stakeholders in the private, public and non-profit sectors who have ideas and opportunities for reducing carbon emissions. Supported by endowment funds, we advance the most promising concepts by investing, providing grants, influencing policies and running programs. We’re particularly interested in ideas that offer benefits in addition to carbon reduction such as improving people’s health, creating local jobs, boosting urban resiliency, and contributing to a fair society. TAF is a proud member of the Low Carbon Cities Canada network.
