Sask gets 44M for environmental projects

While the Harper govt. keeps announcing new environmental programs it refuses to pass the revised Clean Air Act--or whatever its new name is! Every little bit helps but only a little bit!


Sask. gets $44M from Ottawa for CO2-cutting projects
Last Updated: Thursday, April 5, 2007 | 5:32 PM CT
CBC News
Saskatchewan projects aimed at cutting pollution and putting less carbon dioxide in the air will be getting $44 million, the federal and provincial environment ministers announced Thursday.

The federal money is Saskatchewan's part of a $1.5-billion trust fund set up to help provinces and territories reduce greenhouse gas emissions, smog and pollution, federal Environment Minister John Baird said during a stop in Regina.

Some of the $44 million will be spent at the International Test Centre for Carbon Dioxide Capture at the University of Regina.

Researchers there are looking at ways to reduce emissions from burning coal in the province's power plants. One strategy is carbon sequestration, where CO2 is pumped back into the ground instead of being released into the air. Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas. Scientists say it is contributing to global warning.

There's also money for preliminary work on a near-zero carbon emission power plant somewhere in Saskatchewan.

SaskPower hasn't decided whether it will proceed with such a plant, which could cost $1.5 billion, but it expects to make a decision soon.

Saskatchewan environmentalist Ann Coxworth supports research to reduce carbon emissions, but says deadlines need to be set and the impact of Thursday's announcement remains to be seen.



"It's unclear yet whether and to what extent it will actually move us towards the targets that we must reach if we're going to prevent complete climate chaos," she said.

The money earmarked for Saskatchewan will also be spent on biofuels and solar energy projects.

The Calvert government says it will reveal more about its green strategy over the next few weeks.

Saskatchewan Environment Minister John Nilson said the federal money will help support the province's long-term goal of getting one-third of all its energy from renewable sources.