Clean air strategy for Alberta: Report on the regional sessions

Alberta is Canada's major producer of fossil fuels and has the highest Canadian per-capita emission rates of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides, and the second highest per-capita rate of sulfur oxides. Plans were announced to develop a clean air strategy for Alberta in order to encourage public discussion about harmful emissions to the atmosphere from the production and use of energy in Alberta. Objectives of this strategy include the identification of the most important issues that need to be addressed in developing a clean air strategy; to develop practical actions for reducing emissions; and to develop policy and program recommendations to present to the provincial government. Regional sessions were initiated to provide an opportunity for presentation of views from the public, industry, government, schools, and public interest groups. The proceedings of these sessions are summarized, oral and written submissions are analyzed, and general observations about the recommendations are presented. Potential climate change from accumulation of greenhouse gases, acid rain, smog in cities, and ozone depletion were identified as air quality problems, and emissions reduction options in six main categories were identified. Emissions management approaches included encouragement of voluntary actions, establishment of stricter air quality standards, and using economic tools or approaches. The limited participation in the regional sessions suggested that only a small segment of society is seriously concerned about the issues raised. 1 fig., 3 tabs