Canada to Phase Out Coal by 2030

Canada has announced a plan to eliminate the use of traditional coal-fired electricity by 2030, but will offer some flexibility to the provinces. “Taking traditional coal power out of our energy mix and replacing it with cleaner technologies will significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, improve the health of Canadians and benefit generations for years to come,” Canadian Environment Minister Catherine McKenna was quoted as saying by The Globe and Mail. The coal regulation would accelerate the existing timetable–laid down by the Conservative government in 2012—for the four provinces that still burn coal for electricity to either adopt technology to capture carbon emissions or shut down the plant However, government sources say Ottawa recognizes that provinces need flexibility and is willing to negotiate agreements that would allow some plants to stay open as long as equivalent emission reductions are achieved elsewhere. The federal government has agreed to negotiate a deal with Nova Scotia, which will allow the province to burn some coal after 2030 in high-demand winter months, while it achieves deep emissions reductions in its electricity sector, sources said.