Alberta: The Leader in CCUS Deployment

Regulatory Authority

1. Alberta Energy Regulator (AER)

   Alberta’s AER is the central regulatory body for overseeing CCUS projects in the province, managing approvals, compliance, and operational monitoring:

   • Project Approvals: The AER is responsible for granting approvals for CCUS facilities, including injection wells, pipelines, and sequestration sites. This process ensures projects meet provincial standards under the Carbon Sequestration Tenure Regulation.
   • Storage Monitoring: The AER enforces strict guidelines to monitor CO₂ injection and storage sites, ensuring long-term safety and environmental integrity. This includes:
     • Measuring CO₂ injection volumes.
     • Conducting regular assessments of potential leakage or seismic risks.
   • Collaboration with Federal Agencies: The AER works with federal bodies like Natural Resources Canada to align provincial projects with national climate goals.

   Source: Alberta Energy Regulator

2. Carbon Sequestration Tenure Regulation

   Alberta’s regulatory framework grants companies rights to explore and use deep geological formations for CO₂ storage. Key provisions include:

   • Long-term monitoring obligations to ensure environmental safety.
   • Public reporting to maintain transparency and accountability.

Incentive Programs

1. Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) Fund

   Alberta’s TIER Fund is a cornerstone of the province’s CCUS strategy, reinvesting revenue from carbon pricing into emissions reduction technologies:

   • Funding CCUS Projects: TIER revenue supports projects like the Alberta Carbon Trunk Line (ACTL), a CO₂ transportation and storage network capable of handling up to 14.6 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.
   • Collaborative Innovation: The TIER Fund encourages partnerships between industry, government, and technology providers to accelerate CCUS innovation.
   • Impact: Since its launch, the TIER Fund has financed multiple CCUS initiatives, making Alberta a global carbon capture technology deployment leader.

   Source: Alberta TIER Fund

2. Alberta Carbon Trunk Line (ACTL)

   The ACTL is a flagship project demonstrating Alberta’s leadership in CCUS. Key highlights:

   • A 240-kilometer pipeline transports captured CO₂ from industrial facilities to geological storage or for use in enhanced oil recovery (EOR).
   • The project showcases Alberta’s ability to scale CCUS solutions, with potential expansion to serve additional emitters.

   Source: Alberta Carbon Trunk Line

Saskatchewan: A Pioneer in CCUS

Key Projects

1. Boundary Dam CCS Project

   Saskatchewan is home to the Boundary Dam Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Project, the world’s first commercial-scale CCS facility integrated into a coal-fired power plant. Key aspects include:

   • Carbon Capture Achievements: Since its commissioning in 2014, Boundary Dam has captured over [4 million tonnes of CO₂](https://www.saskpower.com/about-us/media-information/news-releases/2021/saskpower-ccs-facility-achieves-4--million-tonnes-of-co2-captured#:~:text=SaskPower CCS Facility Achieves 4 Million Tonnes of CO2 Captured,-March 31%2C 2021&text=SaskPower's Carbon Capture and Storage,since operations began in 2014.), preventing it from being released into the atmosphere. The CO₂ is primarily used for enhanced oil recovery (EOR), with some permanently stored in geological formations.
   • Technological Innovation: The project highlights innovations in flue gas treatment, demonstrating the viability of CCS for retrofitting existing industrial plants.
   • Global Leadership: Boundary Dam serves as a model for other jurisdictions exploring CCS, showcasing Saskatchewan’s early commitment to carbon capture technologies. Source: SaskPower - Boundary Dam CCS Project

Federal-Provincial Coordination

1. Collaboration with Federal Agencies

   Saskatchewan works closely with federal bodies to secure funding and align CCUS projects with Canada’s national climate goals:

   • Funding Mechanisms: Federal programs like the CCUS Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and Clean Energy Innovation Program provide critical financial support for projects such as Boundary Dam.
   • Joint Regulatory Oversight: Coordination with agencies like Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) ensures projects meet national emissions reporting and storage safety standards.

2. Advancing Shared Climate Goals

   • The Boundary Dam Project is integral to achieving Canada’s Paris Agreement targets by reducing emissions from coal-fired electricity generation, a significant source of GHG emissions.
   • Federal and provincial collaboration has positioned Saskatchewan as a pioneer in demonstrating the practicality and scalability of CCS technologies in high-emission sectors.

British Columbia: Focus on Carbon Utilization

Policy Frameworks

1. Integration into the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 British Columbia’s CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 sets the province’s climate action strategy, aligning with Canada’s net-zero emissions goals. CCUS plays a critical role in this framework, particularly for emissions-intensive sectors where decarbonization is challenging. Key highlights include:
   • CCUS as a Decarbonization Tool: The roadmap emphasizes integrating CCUS into existing industrial processes to reduce emissions from natural gas processing, liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, and heavy manufacturing.
   • Supportive Policies and Investments: The provincial government provides funding and incentives for CCUS-related R&D through programs like the Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund, which supports technologies contributing to emissions reductions.
   • Alignment with Federal Policy: The CleanBC roadmap ensures compatibility with federal initiatives, such as the CCUS Investment Tax Credit (ITC), enabling a unified approach to CCUS deployment across Canada.

Sector-Specific Initiatives

1. Utilizing CO₂ in LNG Production

   British Columbia’s LNG sector is a critical focus for CCUS deployment:

   • Carbon Capture for LNG Plants: CCUS technologies are being explored to capture emissions from LNG facilities, including CO₂ generated during the natural gas liquefaction process.
   • Carbon Utilization: Captured CO₂ can be repurposed in industrial processes, such as enhanced oil recovery or the production of synthetic fuels, reducing the environmental footprint of LNG exports.
   • Global Leadership in Low-Carbon LNG: By integrating CCUS, British Columbia aims to position its LNG as a low-carbon alternative on the global market, meeting growing demand for cleaner energy solutions.Source: Government of British Columbia - LNG and Climate Strategy

2. CO₂ Utilization in Manufacturing

   British Columbia is fostering innovation in using captured CO₂ in manufacturing and materials production:

   • Building Materials: Technologies are being developed to incorporate CO₂ into products such as concrete, creating durable, low-carbon building materials.
   • Green Chemical Manufacturing: Captured CO₂ is also being explored as a feedstock for producing chemicals and plastics, contributing to the province’s circular economy goals.