alberta
Newsletter
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Plans for hydrogen refueling stations in Alberta face low vehicle demand and unproven net-zero claims
Air Products aims to build a network of hydrogen refueling stations between Calgary and Edmonton, but interest in hydrogen-powered vehicles and net-zero technology remains low.
In short:
- Air Products plans a "hydrogen highway" with multiple refueling stations along Alberta's Queen Elizabeth II highway.
- The network could refuel up to 200 heavy trucks or 2,000 cars daily, though the exact number of stations and their costs are unspecified.
- Current hydrogen technology and demand for hydrogen vehicles are unproven and limited, with low sales in Canada and the U.S.
Key quote:
“Hydrogen must, and will, play a role in solving the climate crisis.”
— Eric Guter, vice president of hydrogen for mobility, Air Products
Why this matters:
Despite promises of hydrogen as a clean energy solution, the production process still emits significant greenhouse gases. In addition, hydrogen vehicles have yet to capture the imagination of the mainstream consumer. The reasons are manifold: high costs, limited availability of hydrogen cars, and a nascent refueling infrastructure that pales in comparison to the well-established network for electric vehicles.
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Credit: Brian Lasenby/Big Stock Photo
Alberta confronts ongoing water crisis amid escalating drought conditions
A severe drought in southern Alberta is testing the limits of water sustainability as government and experts tackle the challenge.
In short:
- Southern Alberta's drought has intensified due to increased irrigation for agriculture, straining water supplies from the Rocky Mountains.
- Alberta's government plans to implement large water-sharing agreements, though they have been criticized as inadequate.
- Experts warn of long-term water shortages, stressing the need for systemic changes to manage water resources effectively.
Key quote:
“We actually have greater draws or need for the water than we do the amount of water that comes in naturally to these watersheds.”
— Tricia Stadnyk, professor of engineering and geography at the University of Calgary
Why this matters:
Agriculture is a significant economic driver in Southern Alberta, and it depends heavily on consistent water availability. Drought conditions can lead to crop failures, reduced yields and increased economic pressures on farmers and the communities that depend on them. The oil and gas industry is another big consumer of water in the province.
Extreme weather and temperature swings are estimated to cut major crop production by 23% over the next 30 years, scientists warn.
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Credit: Brad Weaver/Unsplash
Alberta braces for water scarcity as fracking intensifies
As Alberta anticipates a severe drought, the oil and gas industry faces warnings of limited water availability due to extensive use in fracking,
In short:
- Fracking in Alberta consumes billions of litres of water, permanently removing it from the water cycle.
- With Alberta on the brink of an intense drought, there's growing concern over water allocation among municipalities, industries, and agricultural sectors.
- The Alberta Energy Regulator has alerted oil and gas companies about potential water shortages, emphasizing the critical situation in southern Alberta.
Key quote:
"The water used in hydraulic fracturing is 'unrecoverable' to the environment; it is all removed from the active water cycle."
— Renato Gandia, spokesperson for the Alberta Energy Regulator
Why this matters:
The fracking process is water-intensive, requiring millions of gallons of water per well, which can worsen water scarcity in drought-prone areas. The large volumes of water used in fracking become contaminated with chemicals and cannot be easily reintegrated into the water cycle, leading to concerns about the sustainability of water supplies.
In Pennsylvania, more than 5,000 wells in the state were injected with 160 million pounds of undisclosed, “trade-secret” chemicals, which potentially include PFAS.
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Credit: James Armbruster/Pixabay
Alberta's environmental plan leans on oil with a green twist
In a recent budget, Alberta has laid out plans to tax electric vehicles while banking on oil and gas revenues, signaling a complex environmental strategy.
In short:
- Alberta introduces an annual $200 tax on electric vehicles starting in 2025, aligning with its continued dependence on oil and gas revenues, expected to be 24% of total income.
- Investments in carbon capture and emissions-reduction technology are highlighted, with $600 million projected for the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) Fund over three years.
- Land-use planning receives a boost with $15 million allocated over three years, aiming to progress on regional plans considering sustainability thresholds.
Why this matters:
Alberta's budget reflects a significant crossroads where environmental concerns intersect with fiscal realities. Balancing economic reliance on fossil fuels with investments in green technologies is critical, as it impacts national environmental policies and the health outcomes of Canadians.
In 2021, more than 500 environmental and community groups – from the Nassau Hiking & Outdoor Club to Greenpeace USA – have called on United States and Canadian leaders to abandon efforts to capture carbon emissions from fossil fuels and work harder to curb fossil fuel use in the first place.
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Credit: Tim Mossholder/Unsplash
Alberta issues new rules for green energy projects
Alberta has ended a seven-month moratorium on renewable energy project approvals, introducing new rules that could significantly limit development across vast areas of the province, raising questions about the future of the sector and billions in investment.
In short:
- Alberta ends a seven-month moratorium on renewable energy projects, introducing new regulations that could restrict development in vast areas.
- The new regulations include establishing 35-kilometer buffer zones around protected areas and prohibiting projects on prime agricultural land unless co-existence with agriculture is proven.
- The government's sudden halt and new rules have created uncertainty, with billions in investments and many projects in limbo, raising questions about the future impact on the industry.
Key quote:
“I think we will start to see the major impacts once we get the rules announced, although I like to highlight that regulatory approval for renewable projects took on average six months in the time before the moratorium. So at a minimum, the moratorium itself doubled the time for the regulatory portion of all these projects.”
— Jorden Dye, the executive director of Business Renewables Centre-Canada
Why this matters:
This development directly influences Alberta's environmental sustainability and energy policies. By shaping the future of renewable energy, these regulations affect the transition to cleaner energy sources, potentially impacting national energy strategies and climate goals.
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Credit: 2427999/Pixabay
Alberta's methane leak sets an unprecedented record
In Alberta, a neglected gas well is leaking methane at the highest rate ever recorded in North America, posing significant environmental concerns.
Andrew Nikiforuk reports for The Tyee.
In short:
- An abandoned gas well in Alberta is releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas, at record levels.
- The leak, enough to heat a Canadian home for 34 years, highlights a broader issue of unregulated emissions.
- Researchers estimate that Canada's inactive wells emit methane equivalent to 1.5 million cars annually.
Key quote:
It's important to "fix these well integrity issues. Plugging a well doesn’t do that."
— Mary Kang, Civil Engineer, McGill University
Why this matters:
This discovery underscores the urgent need to address methane emissions, a critical factor in accelerating climate change. It challenges the effectiveness of current regulatory measures and highlights the environmental risks posed by the oil and gas industry. How can we balance energy needs with environmental protection?
Oil and gas methane emissions in US are at least 15% higher than we thought.
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2427999/Pixabay
Alberta sets a methane ‘super-emitter’ record
Alberta owns a new record. The province is home to an abandoned and unplugged gas well that leaks methane, an explosive greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere at the highest rate ever recorded in North America.
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