January 20, 2024
Wab Kinew Premier
Tracy Schmidt Environment & Climate Change
Jamie Moses Economic Development Investment & Trade, Natural Resources
Seasons Greetings
For the sake of the children, ours, yours, and others,
Please set up a task group to develop 5 year just transition plans to shut down oil sands production of fossil fuels. Help Canada be a leader in energy transition.
There is more than enough oil in current production to blow past all carbon emission targets. The earth does not need, cannot afford, oil sands production. Carbon capture is a distraction and a delaying tactic, not part of realistic solutions.
Even without any atmospheric carbon considerations, oil sands production is a black mark on the environment, on the land and on water. Pathways Alliance says they are increasing the reclamation of the water in the tailing ponds. (Maybe re-using but NOT returning to natural state.) Increasing zero is still zero. Yes it is true Alberta has good regulations but it is also true that there is very little enforcement.
Newer plants may be more efficient but in general the energy return on energy invested in the oil sands is significantly lower than international averages. Save oil sands for the future when all the low hanging fruit has been picked – there will probably always be a need for some oil.
Oil sands production is significant in the Canadian economy and especially in the Alberta economy. Good planning, working with “neighbours,” can create a just transition. Even if the United States energy picture would notice reduction in oil sands production , five years would allow time for planned changes.
The federal government has had some good ideas and policies but more ACTION, more implementation, is needed.
For starters, attached is a brief (less than 2 pages) transition plan from ChatGPT (AI). ***See Five year transition in Food/Energy/environment
We wish you well,
Ray & Marilyn Hamm
copy to Josh Guenter, MLA
Also sent to Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and federal government