Renewable Power Expert Panel For Alberta

Resolution Category Provincial Scope 3
Subject Environment
Year 2010
Status Adopted - Expired
Sponsor - Mover
Grande Prairie, City of
Active Clauses

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association encourage the Province of Alberta to:
1. Establish a Renewable Power Expert Panel to provide a balanced and objective assessment of the potential for renewable energy to contribute to meeting Albertans’ growing demand for reliable and clean
electricity.
2. Mandate the Renewable Power Expert Panel to:
a. Prepare a balanced and objective report to the Government of Alberta on technical and policy issues pertinent to the use of renewable energy to supply electricity in Alberta over the next two decades.
b. Evaluate Renewable Power Potential; Estimate and Compare costs and Benefits; Consider Opportunities and Implications for Alberta’s Electricity System; Identify Barriers to Deployment and Recommend Solutions; Identify Steps to Maximize Benefits from Renewable Power; and Identify Key Elements of Renewable Power Policy for Alberta.

Whereas Clauses

WHEREAS projections indicate that Alberta will be facing a growing gap between electricity demand and supply over the next twenty years;

WHEREAS Alberta is home to massive renewable power resources, including one of the best land-based wind resources in Canada and significant potential for electricity generations in other areas such as biomass from forestry, biogas from agricultural waste, geothermal energy from heat in the earth, hydro power and solar energy;

WHEREAS renewable power technologies provide proven electricity sources that have been deployed successfully in Alberta, elsewhere in Canada and in other countries;

WHEREAS there has been a massive increase in innovation and investment in renewable energy worldwide over the past several years, with total global investment in renewable power exceeding investment in conventional power for the first time in 2008;

WHEREAS many emerging renewable technologies are expected to achieve significant gains in cost effectiveness over the next decade and beyond; and

WHEREAS experience in other countries shows that investment in renewable power can promote economic diversification and innovation, create new jobs, benefit communities and individual landowners, and foster sustainable economic development.

Government Response


Feb 16, 2011 - Alberta Environment

As identified in Alberta’s 2008 Climate Change Strategy, the Government of Alberta is committed to transforming the way we produce energy and introducing greener, more sustainable approaches to energy production. Alberta Energy is in the early stages of developing a renewable and alternatives framework for Alberta to further define actions that can be taken for development of alternative and renewable energy in Alberta. This framework will be developed in consultation with stakeholders, including the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, and should be completed by winter 2011.

As we move forward with the implementation of Alberta’s 2008 Climate Change Strategy, incentives and support for renewable and alternative energy will be closely examined to see how they can help achieve our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Apr 13, 2011 - Alberta Energy

The Government of Alberta recognizes the importance of renewable energy to Albertans. The Alberta Provincial Energy Strategy commits to “not only support renewable energy development but promote a market for its consumption” and “promote smart metering…to help Albertans better understand their consumption patterns and incent greener responses.”

My staff is currently developing an Alternative and Renewable Energy Policy Framework, which will address man of the questions and policy proposals your members put forward. As part of the stakeholder consultation to which we have committed, we will be inviting AUMA members and other stakeholders to provide input.

The Alberta Utilities Commission has just completed a Smart Grid Inquiry report. This report addresses a range of smart grid issues, including advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). As we review the study and develop policy with respect to AMI, we will be seeking input from interested parties such as AUMA.

Nov 20, 2012 - Alberta Energy

Department is currently developing an Alternative and Renewable Energy Policy Framework. This is a collaborative effort with other ministries whose mandates encompass aspects of alternative and renewable energy.

Public consultation is an important part of the framework development process. In September 2011, Alberta Energy hosted an industry expert working session to gather information on alternative and renewable energy resource potential, opportunities, benefits, barriers and suggestions to reduce common barriers. This information is being used in the development of an Alberta primer on alternative and renewable energy, which will serve as a basis for further information gathering and analysis and, subject to government’s approval, public consultation. This work will lead to policy options for consideration by government. 

Alberta Municipalities notes

AUMA considers this response.