Province pledges to cut 7-million tonnes of emissions by 2030.

By: Christopher W. Brown

Alberta’s government is using up to $176 million from the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) system and federal Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund (LCELF) for 16 projects that will cut almost seven million tonnes of emissions by 2030.

This announcement is expected to support 5,600 jobs, and is anticipated to inject $2 billion into the economy.

Alberta Environment Minsiter Jason Nixon stated that the shovel-ready funding expands groundbreaking technologies, "The TIER program continues to demonstrate Alberta’s global leadership on innovation and technology, which are the key pathways to protecting our shared environment while getting Alberta’s economy back on track.”

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said that this announcement will show Alberta's continues leadership on environmental issues, "Alberta continues to show leadership by using technology in practical ways to reduce emissions and combat climate change. "

Of the $176 million, $126 million will come from the TIER system and $50 million from the LCELF.

In Calgary, Calgary Aggregate Recycling is building Canada’s first soil reuse facility. Contaminated soil from construction sites will be processed into stone and sand products. This turns waste that would normally go to the landfill into valuable products, and the facility’s central Calgary location reduces emissions by shortening the distance required to transport the waste for disposal.

The term “shovel-ready” means projects are at a mature stage of development, with the potential to create jobs and cut emissions quickly.