Saskatchewan government deciding what to do with new revenue from carbon pricing
![Scott Moe Premier Scott Moe speaks to the media at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building on Nov. 9, 2022.](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2022/11/10/scott-moe-1-6147659-1668100955482.png)
Saskatchewan is to soon gain control of the carbon pricing charge that shows up on residents' power bills.
However,Premier Scott Moe and his Saskatchewan Party government are still mulling over how that new revenue should be spent.
Since 2019, a carbon backstop has been placed on Saskatchewan Power Corporation bills to account for its greenhouse gas emissions.
The money has been going to the federal government, but starting in January the money will be staying in the province.
This comes after Saskatchewan successfully applied to have natural gas pipelines and power plants regulated through its own carbon-pricing system, and will take full regulatory control over all large greenhouse gas emitters in the province.
Under the program, Saskatchewan will still have to comply with the federal carbon pricing schedule.
Moe has said his government hasn't made a decision whether it will return some of that money collected through power bills back to residents.
"It's fair to say we haven't made that decision yet," Moe said Wednesday.
He said a priority for the government is to invest in Saskatchewan's transition to cleaner power generation.
Moe said he'd like to see some money go toward producing nuclear energy.
Federal government policy aims to reach a net-zero grid by 2035. This is putting pressure on Saskatchewan to transition away from coal and natural gas -- power generation it mainly relies on to keep the lights on in the province.
To support a transition to cleaner energy, the modernization of Saskatchewan's electrical grid will be essential, SaskPower, the province's Crown electrical utility, said in its 2021-22 report.
"We need to make responsible decisions of how we are making those investments, but we also want to do everything we can to keep power affordable for Saskatchewan residents," Moe said.
The Opposition New Democrats have taken a similar viewpoint.
NDP Leader Carla Beck said Thursday that she wants to see a plan for the money that involves reliable energy that reduces emissions and doesn't stick Saskatchewan people with power sources they can't afford.
"These are huge investments, huge considerations for the future of this province," she said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 24, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6949994.1720031014!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'I'm not leaving': Biden meets with top Democrats, rejects calls to abandon campaign
U.S. President Joe Biden vowed to stay in the 2024 presidential race during a call with campaign staff on Wednesday and sought to reassure top Democrats on Capitol Hill that he is fit for reelection despite his shaky debate performance last week.
'Not my finest moment:' Police called to dispute between Ottawa city councillor and daycare owner
Ottawa city councillor Clarke Kelly says he is not apologizing after a Kinburn daycare owner alleged he screamed and swore in front of children during a dispute that saw police called to the scene on Wednesday afternoon.
Is Greece's six-day work week an option in Canada? An expert weighs in
As some Canadian companies explore offering staff a four-day work week, experts are watching Greece's move closely and suggest it could work in Canada.
Irish prime minister 'appalled' by Montrealer's death after alleged assault
Ireland's prime minister says he's "absolutely appalled" by an assault in the country's capital that resulted in the death of a tourist from Montreal.
Ontario man suffers cardiac arrest in Florida. This is why insurance won't cover his $620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who wanted to spend time with his family in Florida was hospitalized after suffering a cardiac arrest at the airport as he was about to fly back to Canada.
No tsunami threat after multiple earthquakes recorded off Vancouver Island
Five earthquakes were recorded in quick succession off the British Columbia coast on Wednesday afternoon.
Hudson's Bay Co. to purchase U.S. department store Neiman Marcus: reports
Hudson's Bay Co. has reached a deal to buy luxury department store chain Neiman Marcus, according to media reports.
Trudeau focused on governing, fighting right-wing populism following byelection loss
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been taking calls from different members of his Liberal caucus following the party's historic byelection loss in a Toronto riding last week, but the prime minister said his focus remains on governing.
Canadian feels 'abandoned' in Mexico after WestJet strike
More than 1,100 WestJet flights and counting have been cancelled since last Thursday, when a strike by the airlines mechanics union grounded travel plans for more than 100,000 customers.