Sask. launches $25M fund to develop emission-reducing technologies

The Government of Saskatchewan is making a big investment in the development of new emission-reducing technologies.

The provincial government announced Tuesday the launch of the Saskatchewan Technology Fund, which will make roughly $25 million available to industry-driven projects that reduce or capture greenhouse gas emissions.

The announcement comes as the provincial government pushes back against Ottawa’s aggressive national targets for greenhouse gas reductions and makes investments in nuclear technology.

Christine Tell, Saskatchewan’s environment minister, said the government is committed to a net-zero emissions plan for the province’s power grid in the long term.

“However,” Tell added, “this transition cannot sacrifice the affordability and reliability of our power grid. The changes announced today support Saskatchewan’s clean electricity transition priorities while maintaining affordability and competitiveness for families, businesses and industries.”

The newly announced fund will be administered by Innovation Saskatchewan, the province noted, and regulated emitters can apply to the fund for financing to help them adopt new technologies that will help them drop their emissions. An initial intake round saw 20 groups express interest, and successful applicants will be invited to submit full project proposals for review.

Christine Tell, Saskatchewan’s environment minister, said the government is committed to a net-zero emissions plan, but not at the expense of affordability. (980 CJME file photo)

“There are few places on Earth with more potential for innovation than Saskatchewan,” Tell added. “That’s why we’ve partnered with industry to create a technology fund that can match the ambitions of our industry and grow our competitive advantage.”

The government said the fund was developed in conjunction with industry partners. Lisa Baiton, the CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, said her group applauded Tuesday’s announcement.

“The funding program, an important compliance option, supports market-ready technology, innovation, and improvement projects that have been proven to be effective means for the industry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Baiton said, quoted in the government’s statement.

“The province’s flexible approach, combined with the use of a competitive application process to provide funds for qualified technology projects, helps maintain competitiveness and prevent carbon leakage.”

But even as Saskatchewan makes large investments in emissions reduction, the provincial government continues to criticize targets set by the federal government.

Dustin Duncan, minister responsible for SaskPower, has slammed the federal government’s proposed Clean Electricity Regulations as “unaffordable, unconstitutional, and technologically and logistically impossible.”

On Monday, proposed federal regulations aiming for a significant reduction in methane releases by the oil and gas industry were also slammed by Jim Reiter, Saskatchewan’s energy and resources minster. He called them “another example of federal overreach” and said the proposed rules would lead to lower production and a reduced standard of living across the province.