Alberta to pursue long-term methane agreement with federal government

Alberta Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz says the province is moving ahead with plans to secure a long-term agreement with the federal government on methane emissions reductions.

The announcement follows a memorandum of understanding signed Nov. 27 by Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney, committing both governments to strengthen Canada’s energy sector and increase oil and gas production in Alberta.

Under the MOU, Alberta and Ottawa have agreed to finalize a methane equivalency agreement by April 1, 2026, with a 2035 target aiming for a 75 per cent reduction in emissions relative to 2014 levels.

Schulz said she received a letter from federal Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin on Dec. 15 confirming the timelines and targets, and Ottawa’s intent to establish a long-term framework providing certainty to the province’s energy industry through 2035.

“Alberta will continue to focus on practical and flexible methane reduction solutions that allow our industry to remain competitive,” Schulz said. She added that the agreement will include third-party emissions monitoring to provide transparency and predictability for producers.