The provincial government of Alberta has recently made a significant investment of £15 million over a period of five years in support of the Natural Gas Innovation Fund (NGIF) Accelerator’s Emissions Testing Centre (ETC) program. This funding is intended to facilitate the testing of new technologies and equipment aimed at reducing methane emissions and creating employment opportunities within the sector.
In a statement, Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, highlighted the program’s role in providing support to companies such as Spartan Controls in the development of crucial methane detection and measurement equipment, as well as in driving advancements in pneumatic equipment and fuel efficiency. She emphasized the significance of the funding for the ETC program, stating that it would enable the testing of innovative technologies, contribute to methane emission reduction efforts, and foster job creation.
Schulz also emphasized the collaborative approach of Alberta’s government in working with industry to achieve tangible results, in contrast to the federal government’s adversarial stance. She stated, “Over 70 companies have already benefited from this program and today we’re building on that by investing another £15 million to ensure that emissions reduction technologies can continue to be tested and refined, right here in the amazing province of Alberta. This program and this funding will help accelerate the next wave of companies, test their technology, of course free of charge, attract investors, and get these technologies to market even faster.”
Additionally, Martin Long, the MLA for West Yellowhead, commended Alberta’s leading role in global methane emission reduction efforts, attributing it to the province’s exceptional energy sector. He noted that the initiative reflects Alberta’s ongoing commitment to innovation and the adoption of new technologies, further remarking, “By working with industry we are making major progress in reducing methane emissions while supporting our energy sector, creating jobs, and keeping the economy strong. This is a great announcement for my community and the hard working people of West Yellowhead. We’re bringing jobs, innovation, economic growth, and so much more. Of course there is a lot of work left to do, we’re just getting started.”
The significant announcement was made at the West Wolf East Gas Plant in Edson, located west of Edmonton, on Wednesday, July 3rd.
This investment from the provincial government underscores the commitment to fostering technological innovation and reducing methane emissions, while simultaneously promoting economic growth and job creation within the energy sector in Alberta. With the support of the Emissions Testing Centre program, the province is poised to maintain its leadership in addressing environmental challenges and driving sustainable development.