Province invests $29M to cut methane, boost energy production

Alberta is launching two programs worth $29 million to help oil and gas companies reduce methane emissions while supporting growth in energy production.

The $22-million Methane Reduction Deployment Program, delivered through Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), provides up to $1 million per project to help companies adopt proven methane-cutting technologies. A $7-million Methane Reduction Demonstration Program, run with the NGIF Accelerator, will fund startups testing new emissions-reduction solutions.

“The world needs more responsibly produced energy, and Alberta is answering that call,” said Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz. ERA CEO Justin Riemer added the programs will make it easier for companies to cut emissions and expand internationally.

Alberta has already cut methane emissions from the upstream oil and gas sector by 52 per cent since 2014 while oil production grew more than 54 per cent. The province has invested about $129 million since 2019 in new technologies and retrofits.