water, exceptional landscapes and high air quality. A diverse and rich environment comes with the responsibility of properly protecting, sensibly utilizing and respectfully appreciating Albertas natural heritage. With good governance; meaningful and collaborative decision-making; and effective leadership; the Alberta Party believes we can advance our resource economy while at the same time honouring and preserving our unique natural ecosystem. . THE ENVIRONMENT The Alberla Parly believes lhal we can improve our environmenlal condilions and simullaneously conlinue lo expand our economy. Improved governance oI waler resources, responsible developmenl oI land, high air qualily, and reduced GHG emissions are all very achievable goals in Alberla. The Alberla Parly believes lhal wilh cooperalion belween cilizens, induslry, and governmenl we can make lhe province a heallhier and more prosperous place lo live in. !"#$%&'#()*$+*(),-.$/0.012$31($)"#$45)5(#6 Alberla will slrive lo become a global leader in environmenlal slewardship. The Alberla Parly envisions a Iulure in which: Inlegraled environmenl and energy policies are developed wilh inpul Irom induslry and lhe people oI Alberla. Waler is viewed as a public good lhal is responsibly shared amongsl all Alberlans and conserved as a maller oI course. Alberlans are empowered lo make suslainable choices lo reduce lhe amounl oI wasle lhey produce and lo conserve more energy and waler. Land use policy in Alberla is Iounded upon a suslainable balance oI conservalion, developmenl, reclamalion and resloralion. The qualily oI our air is among lhe besl in lhe world and our greenhouse gas GHG) emissions are signihcanlly reduced. OUR 4 PRIORITIES 1. WATER MANAGEMENT The Alberla Parly recognizes waler as lhe mosl imporlanl resource we possess in lhe province, and believe lhal ils inlrinsic value should be emphasized. We also recognize lhal waler resources are complex, as lhey are deeply inlegraled wilh lheir surrounding environmenls. We believe lhal, moving Iorward, responsible managemenl and good governance are essenlial. This is especially lrue given lhe increasing pressures pul on Alberla's waler resources by lhe realilies oI a changing climale, increasing populalion demands, a growing energy induslry, and expanding communilies. The Alberla Parly encourages economic developmenl parlnered wilh lhe responsible managemenl oI waler. Good governance oI our waler resources requires a shared governance model lhal is supporled by science Ior example, adequale moniloring), public parlicipalion in decision-making, a prediclable regulalory environmenl, eBeclive managemenl lools, and incenlives Ior conservalion. Alberlans also wanl lo be assured lhal our waler resources are equilably dislribuled lo benehl lhe Iulure growlh oI lhe province's communilies, local economies and resource developmenlwhile prolecling lhe inlegrily oI our waler resources. The Alberla Parly will develop a slronger and more complele process Ior selling slandards, moniloring, and conserving waler. The governance syslem Ior waler resources is a crilical componenl in ensuring lhe suslainabilily oI our walersheds and wellands. $%2$%&'#()*$+*(),$718#(29#2)$:0&&6 Slrive lo idenliIy, eslablish and improve lhe invenlory oI wellands lo ensure lhal highly valuable wellands are prolecled. This will include purchasing or using conservalion easemenls and olher regulaled mechanismswilh compensalion where necessarylo prolecl lhe mosl signihcanl wellands. Work wilh and supporl municipalilies and welland agencies, which have vasl knowledge and experience in welland managemenl. We will also supporl and encourage agricullural producers who are willing lo prolecl and conserve wellands. Eslablish a "Nel Growlh oI Wellands" or a "No Nel Loss" mandale lhal recognizes ecological and regional diBerences in wellands. Develop legislaled Conservalion Objeclives lhal will oBer proleclion Ior waler sources, and Walershed Managemenl Plans Ior all major walersheds. We will promole and encourage groundwaler managemenl plans. Develop a Waler Risk Managemenl Framework lhal will guide planning and implemenlalion oI waler managemenl decisions, and will crafl slralegies lo respond lo droughls, Boods, and disaslers. Develop a waler managemenl syslem lhal supporls lhe growlh oI Alberla's economy, encourages conservalion and eBciency, and ensures lhal conserved waler benehls lhe environmenl. We see waler as a public good and nol as a markelable commodily. Creale incenlives Ior induslry and households lo subslanlially reduce waler consumplion. We will build slronger parlnerships belween landowners, induslry and land users lo prolecl source waler and upslream calch basins. Work wilh induslry lo reduce lhe induslrial use oI waler and promole waler conservalion solulions lhal address lhe use oI brackish waler, eliminale lailings ponds, and promole lrealmenl and recycling. Work wilh municipalilies lo develop opporlunilies lo use grey walerwaslewaler generaled Irom domeslic aclivilies such as laundry, dishwashing, and balhingas parl oI lhe waler conservalion solulion in lhe households oI Alberlans. 2. LAND MANAGEMENT Alberla's landscape is diverse and bounliIul. Our province is home lo ecologically unique areas lhal Alberlans cherish, and an abundance oI resources lhal have conlribuled greally lo our lhriving economy. Consideralions oI land use will be very imporlanl lo Alberla's Iulure as we slrive lo slrike a balance belween developmenl and conservalion. The Alberla Parly believes we can make decisions lhal supporl economic growlh as well as accommodale bolh public and privale inleresls, all while ensuring lhal lhe land in our province is developed suslainably. Land use planning is imporlanl Ior responsible developmenl oI Alberla's land and resources. II done well il provides proleclion lo areas lhal require conservalion, creales slronger communilies, ensures lhal compleled projecls are properly reclaimed, and helps Iosler resource developmenl in a more suslainable way. The Alberla Parly believes signihcanl improvemenls musl be made lo lhe environmenlal aspecls oI land use planning in our province. %2$%&'#()*$+*(),$718#(29#2)$:0&&6 Ensure planning Ior reclamalion is ongoing during lhe liIe oI a projecl. This includes working wilh slakeholders lo creale a more slreamlined and lransparenl reclamalion cerlihcalion process, and increased hnancial bondingdeposils oI moneylo ensure lhal lhe scale oI lrusl is appropriale lo lhe level oI reclamalion liabilily. Address lhe growing backlog oI induslrial siles in need oI reclamalion by inlroducing regulaled limelines Ior lhe abandonmenl and reclamalion oI oil and gas wells wilh lhe Bexibilily lo granl exlensions in exceplional cases where lhe licensee can provide economic or lechnical juslihcalion. Recognize lhe diversily oI lhe seven regional areas idenlihed Ior land use planning and commil lo priorilizing lhe Iour headwaler regional plans. This would include lhresholds, largels, and limils on resource valuesall oI which consider cumulalive eBeclswilhin all seven regional areas. Conlribule a small porlion oI royally revenues lo crealing and mainlaining prolecled areas. This will also involve expanding exisling parks and recrealion areas lo include regions lhal represenl habilal unique lo Alberla. Eslablish a syslem in which operalors regisler a caveal on lhe lille Ior lands lhal conlain oil and gas Iacililies lo ensure lhal polenlial buyers are aware oI lhe presence oI lhese Iacililies beIore purchasing lheir home or land. 3. AIR QUALITY Whelher we are oul exploring nalure or walking downlown, Alberlans expecl a high qualily oI air. As cilies grow and our province conlinues lo expand resource developmenl, il will become increasingly imporlanl lo ensure we manage airborne pollulanls. The Alberla Parly believes lhal our nalural areas, our induslrial areas, and our municipal hubs should have lhe cleanesl air possible. !"#$%&'#()*$+*(),$:0&&6 Creale a long-lerm aclion plan lo reduce commercial and personal vehicle emissions. Provide municipalilies incenlives lo supporl allernalive Iorms oI lransporlalion such as public lransil, bicycle inIraslruclure and high-speed rail. Consider air qualily in lhe same conlexl as land and waler in regional planning, and develop local and regional air qualily managemenl objeclives. We will provide Iurlher supporl lo exisling planning zones. This includes consideralion oI vehicle emissions in urban sellings, induslrial emissions in concenlraled induslrial areas, and unique rural silualions such as gas planls and conhned Ieeding operalions. Slrenglhen lhe air qualily managemenl syslem in Alberla, concenlraling more on moniloring lhan on selI-reporling by emillers. Provide a lransparenl moniloring and inIormalion syslem, which ensures lhal accounlabilily oI emillers is limely, inIormalive and proaclive, while priorilizing enIorcemenl. Work wilh induslry lo provide and ulilize lhe besl air qualily conlrolling and moniloring lechnology lo prevenl air pollulion. Supporl lhe need lo equally emphasize lhe imporlance oI indoor air qualily lhrough lhe review and enhancemenl oI building codes Ior our homes, places oI work and schools. 4. CLIMATE Alberlans wanl lo be leaders in energy produclion and GHG emissions managemenl. As we slrive lo become a leader in energy developmenl we musl recognize and accepl lhal growlh brings challenges. The energy induslry in our province is currenlly emissions-inlensive Irom lhe eleclricily we produce, lo lhe Iuel we burn, lo lhe hydrocarbons we exporl. The Alberla Parly believes lhal by Iocusing policy specihcally on our climale we can lurn lhis challenge inlo an opporlunily lo lransilion lo greener energy lechnologies lhal will posilion our economy Ior a slronger Iulure. Ensuring GHG emissions decrease, even in Alberla's oflen booming economic climale, will require ambilious planning and cooperalion wilh many slakeholders. The Alberla Parly is commilled lo slrenglhening GHG emissions policies by employing evidence-based, cosl- eBeclive melhods. This will require a mix oI legislalion and slralegic direclion. We will employ a number oI solulions in order lo ensure our emissions decrease while our economy lhrives. The Alberta Party will: Ensure lhal coal-hre eleclricily generalion emission slandards match those of natural gas or other viable eleclricily sources. Recognize lhal lhere is no single "silver bullel" technology and lhal in lhe Iulure we will allow lhe carbon price to provide lhe signals necessary to advance solulions. Encourage and supporl the shiIl of our eleclrical generalion stock to smaller decenlralized solar, wind, nalural gas, dislributed generalion, and co-generalion Iacililies. Implemenl a regulatory Iramework and incenlives lhal reduce per capila eleclrical consumplion. Work wilh slakeholders to implemenl a strategy lhal requires eleclrical generalion in lhe province to meel GHG emissions largels in line wilh internalional obligalions by or beIore zoz. Work wilh slakeholders to incorporate a gradually increasing price on carbon lhal better ils environmenlal cosls. Reduce GHG reporling lhresholds so lhal more major emitters are covered, and increase openness and lransparency of all GHG reporling under provincial legislalion. Work to idenliIy and protecl green spaces, lhe nalural carbon sinks wilhin Alberla. ENERGY Over the years Alberla's energy sector has created immense value Ior our province and prosperily for our people. These can conlinue only if our energy sector adapls to keep pace wilh lhe demands of a rapidly changing world. Alberla is in lhe enviable posilion of having lhe potenlial to be a world leader in developing a suslainable energy sector combining lhe besl sources and praclices of our exisling energy induslry wilh innovalive and crealive renewable Iorms of energy. We can achieve lhis lransilion sooner and posilion Alberla to be al lhe leading edge of the green energy Iulure by building on lhe currenl strengths of a healthy oil and gas induslry. The Alberta Partys Vision for the Future: Alberla is a respected global leader in bolh renewable and non-renewable energy. The Alberla Parly envisions an energy Iulure in which: Our leadership in energy provides economic prosperily, conlinuous environmenlal improvemenl, and prosperily and wellbeing Ior lhe people and lhe province of Alberla. Governmenl policy and regulalions are developed in consullalion wilh all stakeholders, the energy sector's need Ior cerlainly, slabilily, lhe need to be compelilive on a global scale, as well as an adequate relurn on inveslmenl while commitling to conlinuous improvemenl in lhe developmenl of a suslainable and environmenlally sound energy induslry. A percenlage oI lhe weallh derived Irom crude oil, nalural gas and lhe oil sands is conlinually reinvesled in lhe ongoing developmenl oI a suslainable and environmenlally responsible energy seclor. Induslry, governmenl and lhe people oI Alberla work logelher lo make il a realily. A STRONG ENERGY SECTOR, A GROWING ECONOMY AND A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT The Alberla Parly recognizes lhe need Ior an innovalive energy seclor, a robusl economy, and a heallhy environmenl. %2$%&'#()*$+*(),$718#(29#2)$:0&&6 Commil lo crealing inlegraled energy and environmenlal policy so induslry has clear direclion on developmenl aclivilies. Ensure lhal induslry and lhe people oI Alberla will always be consulled in developing and amending lhose policies and accompanying regulalions. Generale and Iosler an almosphere oI lrusl belween all slakeholders. Creale and Iosler an almosphere oI innovalion and conlinuous improvemenl lhrough economic and markel-based incenlives. DiversiIy our energy producls and lhe markels we reach. Take a leading role in lhe research and developmenl oI new sources oI renewable energy leading lo a more suslainable and environmenlally responsible energy seclor. OUR 4 PRIORITIES 1. BUILDING ON OUR STRENGTHS IN OIL AND GAS Our province's combinalion oI nalural resources and innovalive lechnological experlise perIeclly posilions our province lo lake advanlage oI lhe Canadian and Inlernalional need Ior bolh convenlional and new and pioneering Iorms oI renewable energy. Making lhe lransilion Irom an economy largely dependenl on non- renewable resources lo one lhal includes a more balanced approach lo environmenlal suslainabilily and responsibilily will require lhe developmenl oI a new and innovalive experlise. This lransilion could pul Alberla in lhe IoreIronl oI worldwide energy delivery. ;2$)"#$<*.)=$*>)080),$02$)"#$#2#(7,$.#>)1($ baa creaIed buge agIn-oH beneHIa, buI oIIen Ibe beneHIa accrue eIaewbere. We wanI Io keeg nore oI Ibeae beneHIa bere aI bone In our IocaI connunIIIea. %2$%&'#()*$+*(),$718#(29#2)$:0&&6 Provide incenlives lo induslry and businesses lo build lhe capacily oI Alberla lo Iosler innovalion in lhe manuIaclure oI equipmenl, services, and lraining necessary lo supporl our oil and gas induslry. Work wilh lhe Iederal governmenl lo address lhe coming labour shorlage via lhe recruilmenl and relenlion oI New Canadians as permanenl residenls oI Alberla. II aIao beneHIa aII AIberIana wben )"#$#2#(7,$.#>)1($<(1?5>#.$*$"07"#(@ 8*&5#$<(1?5>)$31($#A<1()$)1$91(#$ narkeIa. II groducea nore akIIIed joba and nore groagerIIy. An %&'#()*$+*(),$718#(29#2)$:0&&6 Underlake a slralegic assessmenl lo delermine an appropriale level oI secondary produclion Ior our non-renewable resources lhal acknowledges markel realilies and environmenlal impacls. Seek lrade, exporl, and growlh opporlunilies in secondary manuIacluring and processing in lhe pelrochemical seclor as well as in producls sourced Irom oil and nalural gas Ieedslocks. Pursue access lo inlernalional markels Ior our oil and gas produclion by supporling developmenl oI a pipeline corridor and a wesl coasl liquid and nalural gas Iacilily, while ensuring lhal lhe social and environmenlal issues associaled wilh lhe projecl are approprialely addressed. Ensure lhal Alberlans' inleresls are always upheld in lhe developmenl oI any nalional energy slralegy. B*2,$13$)"#$#2#(7,$.#>)1(-.$*..#).$>*2$ *&.1$'#$#(*7#?$)1$>(#*)#$#>12190>$ aucceaa In oIber areaa. Tbe knowIedge, 023(*.)(5>)5(#$*2?$>*<0)*&$:0)"02$ %&'#()*-.$#2#(7,$02?5.)(,$"*8#$*&(#*?,$ '##2$5.#?$)1$"#&<$*?8*2>#$#9#(7027$ #2#(7,$)#>"21&170#.$*2?$>15&?$'#$5.#?$ Io conIInue Io buIId aucceaa In new areaa. %2$%&'#()*$+*(),$718#(29#2)$:0&&6 Parlner wilh induslry lo seek new applicalions oI such lechnologies oulside lhe energy seclor. Tbe energy aecIor Ia aIao aHecIed ',$9*2,$.5<<1()027$02?5.)(0#.$ ouIaIde oI Ibe energy aecIor. An %&'#()*$+*(),$718#(29#2)$:0&&6 Work lo bring more oI lhe supporling induslries inlo lhe province, including lhe hnancial seclor, as a way lo conlinually increase lhe benehls lhal lhe energy induslry provides lo Alberlans. 2. REDUCING GHG EMISSIONS AND TRANSITIONING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY Fulure growlh in lhe energy seclor will be coupled wilh greenhouse gas emissions GHGs) managemenl. Demand Ior greener energy gives lhe province an opporlunily lo develop new lechnologies here in Alberla lhal will help make meaningIul reduclions in GHG's bolh here and lhroughoul lhe world, and lo lake a lead role in oBering suslainable energy solulions lo lhe world. %2$%&'#()*$+*(),$718#(29#2)$:0&&$ >12.0?#($*2?$09<	#2)$:*,.$)1$9*C#$ Ibe 8gecIHed Caa EnIIIera ReguIaIIon (8CER) nore eHecIIve aI reducIng %&'#()*-.$>*('12$311)<(02)=$02>&5?0276 Inlroducing a gradually increasing carbon price lo Iurlher encourage low-carbon innovalion and greener energy while also ensuring an economically robusl energy induslry. A lower reporling lhreshold Ior lhe SGER, so lhal more emillers are covered. Conlinuing lo enhance a "lech Iund" and oBer rebales lo companies lhal oulperIorm lheir carbon perIormance benchmarks. We acknowledge lhe polenlial oI carbon caplure and slorage CCS) lo reduce our green house gas GGS) emissions, bul believe lhere is no single "silver bullel" lechnology. ThereIore, beyond honoring exisling CCS Iunding agreemenls, an Alberla Parly governmenl will allow lhe carbon price lo provide lhe signals necessary lo advance many diBerenl lypes oI solulions. %2$%&'#()*$+*(),$718#(29#2)$:0&&$*&.16 Work wilh induslry and cilizens lo develop beller lransparency, communicalion and consullalion belween landowners, local cilizens and energy developmenl companies, including oil and gas companies, solar and wind developers. We will Iosler a more lrusling parlnership, making il easier Ior all parlies lo meel lheir goals. This includes selling clear rules Ior lhe developmenl oI wind power and olher energy resources on crown land lo clearly dehne where specihc developmenls are appropriale and where developmenl is inappropriale. Commission a lhorough geolhermal survey oI Alberla. The lasl survey was a nalional eBorl lhal look place in lhe lale q;os. By giving enlrepreneurs improved dala on lhe resources, we can kick-slarl an induslry wilh our abundance oI drilling experlise. Ullimalely, lhe cheapesl and cleanesl way lo meel growing energy needs is lhrough energy eBciency and conservalion. There is a slrong economic case lo be made Ior advancing energy eBciency and conservalion. As a nel job crealor and lhe cheapesl way lo meel Iulure energy needs, energy eBciency inilialives improve lhe produclivily and compeliliveness oI induslry, lower operaling cosls oI public Iacililies such as schools and hospilals, and reduce household ulilily bills. %2$%&'#()*$+*(),$718#(29#2)$:0&&6 Sel a largel and develop a slralegy lo upgrade lhe energy eBciency oI halI oI all commercial and induslrial buildings in Alberla over lhe nexl o years in a way lhal is cosl-neulral Ior governmenl and provides immediale cosl savings Ior consumers. Creale a similar slralegy lo supporl halI oI all homeowners in Alberla lo do lhe same. 3. ELECTRICITY TRADITIONAL POWER FOR A NEW CENTURY Today, Alberla generales, lransmils and dislribules eleclricily using a model in which generalors and consumers are connecled via an aging high-vollage lransmission grid. The need lo upgrade Alberla's eleclricily inIraslruclure gives us lhe opporlunily lo modernize our eleclricily syslem lo one which is more energy-eBcienl, more responsive lo demand peaks and lows, and lowers GHG emissions. Working closely with power consumers and producers, an Alberta Party government will create the conditions to advance a more versatile electricity system that takes into account: Energy and conservation. Incentives to reduce demand by people and businesses during peak times. The distance between proposed power plants and the customers that need it. The cost of transmission and distribution. The environmental and social impacts of proposed power plants. The of people and businesses generating their own power. Self-generation of power is one area that has a lot of appeal for Albertans. Solar panels, small wind turbines, and units that co-generate electricity and heat for buildings are all currently being used in the province. While these technologies are still maturing, they already help to reduce infrastructure requirements, reduce environmental impact and allow people to be more self- in meeting their energy needs. The that these technologies bring to Alberta should be acknowledged and rewarded. Low-impact electricity generation from wind power, sustainably harvested biomass, run-of-river hydroelectricity, solar energy, and geothermal energy also provide to all Albertans that should be recognized and rewarded. To support both self-generation and low-impact generation in the province, the Alberta Party will: Establish a production incentive for low- impact and distributed electricity generation. The level of the incentive will be based on the level of value provided. The incentive will be funded through existing mechanisms such as the Gas Emitters Regulation and will be revenue neutral for government. Repeal Bill 50, the Electric Statutes Amendment Act, which allows Cabinet to unilaterally build expensive new transmission lines and encourages centralized electricity generation. Modernize the transmission grid by developing a province-wide model that is more and better suited to transmitting sustainable electricity sources. Rethinking electricity generation and distribution can also provide an expanded, stable domestic market for Alberta natural gas. Natural gas power plants produce much less GHG emissions than traditional electrical generation fuels and can be located close to demand which lessens the need to build high-voltage power lines. An Alberta Party government will: Regulale coal-hred eleclricily generaling emissions and environmental impacts to ensure that they are reduced to the level of natural gas or other viable sources of power generation.
Look to low-impact generation to gradually reduce
the
need
for
generation.
4. EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION If our goal is to become a respected global leader in sustainable energy, we already have the
natural,
technological,
intellectual,
and creative resources to achieve it. Becoming
and remaining
a
world
leader
in
energy
requires a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation. Entrepreneurship means we are able to recognize opportunity, while innovation allows us to respond to a changing world. This begins with building on our existing strengths, and systematically supporting innovation in education, research, technology, business development and environmental science within the energy sector. Photos included in this document are from: http://photos.edmonton.ca and are used with permission, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution - Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 Canada License. !1$?1$)"0.=$*2$%&'#()*$+*(),$ 718#(29#2)$:0&&6 Priorilize and encourage lhe developmenl and advancemenl oI suslainable lechnologies and praclices in Alberla by commilling a porlion oI non-renewable resource revenues in order lo Iund more energy innovalion and new lechnology venlures. Provide a hve-year budgel cycle Ior posl- secondary educalion Iunding, ensuring cerlainly Ior our universilies, colleges and polylechnical inslilules lhal are lasked wilh lraining and developing lhe seclor's Iulure workIorce. Allracl lhe skilled labour necessary lo complemenl our knowledge base and conlribule lo lhe evolulion oI our energy seclor, so lhal Alberla can build, service and supporl new and emerging induslries. CONCLUSION The Alberla Parly is dedicaled lo ensuring lhal Alberla's Iulure is prosperous, environmenlally suslainable and produclively involves all Alberlans. We look Iorward lo working wilh induslry, business and lhe cilizens oI our province lo build a successIul Iulure Ior our energy seclor and our province. THANKS TO Thanks lo lhe volunleers in lhe policy and communicalions commillees Ior producing lhis policy brieI. Their help has been immeasurable. FEEDBACK We are always looking Ior Ieedback on Alberla Parly policy. II you have any commenls or queslions, we would love lo receive lhem. Feedback Ior lhe Democralic Renewal Policy can be given on our websile www.alberlaparly.ca), our Facebook page Iacebook.com/alberlaparly), or by emailing us al: policy_alberlaparly.ca.