Federal government net-zero goals impossible and unaffordable: Premier Scott Moe

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe called the federal government’s net-zero energy goals unachievable and unaffordable on Friday, saying it would hit residents with even higher costs of living.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe called the federal government’s net-zero energy goals unachievable and unaffordable on Friday, saying it would hit residents with even higher costs of living.

Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault released draft regulations Thursday designed to clean Canada’s electricity grid, billing the move as key to Canada’s economic competitiveness, transitioning the energy economy and combatting climate change.

The government has set a target of making the electricity grid net zero by 2035, and the regulations are meant to help guide the way.

“It’s unachievable,” said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe at a media conference Monday. “It’s unrealistic. Those are SaskPower’s words, not mine. Our power utility cannot actually achieve what the federal government sets us up to achieve and it certainly isn’t going to be affordable as it will double the power rates in the province.”