Premier Scott Moe was in Estevan on Friday for the signing of the Coal Transition Fund, a $10 million investment of which Estevan will receive $8 million over the next three years.
Moe was joined by Estevan 小蓝视频 Lori Carr, Estevan Mayor Roy Ludwig and Coronach Mayor Trevor Schnell for the announcement that took place at City Hall.
鈥淗aving been raised right here in the City of Estevan, it鈥檚 where I was born, it鈥檚 where I chose to raise my family and where I choose to have my future, I am really pleased to have the Premier here today and to have him show his support for our communities,鈥� said Carr.
Moe praised the efforts of Carr along with other 小蓝视频s to get to a position where this funding was a possibility.
鈥淪ome of these funds may be used to explore the viability of new industries for our region. This transition fund was created at the urging of Minister Carr quite frankly, backed up by the urging of Minster Duncan as well as other 小蓝视频s. They have been very strong voices at the cabinet table and at our caucus table for this region and for the region and for the economy of southeastern Saskatchewan,鈥� said Moe.
The $8 million given to Estevan from the province, will begin 小蓝视频 disbursed this year and will be divided into three installments over the next three years with the other $2 million 小蓝视频 sent to Coronach in the same fashion. Premier Moe said that Estevan and Coronach will be important to Saskatchewan鈥檚 energy sector for years to come.
鈥淓stevan and the surrounding area, including Coronach, have quite literally powered this province now for the better part of the last century. We expect that this region is going to play a crucial role in our energy industry for many years to come. But, there is a fundamental change that is coming soon. We鈥檝e discussed that and we need to adapt to these changing circumstances,鈥� said Moe.
In 2016, the federal government announced regulations to phase-out traditional coal-fired electricity by 2030 as part of their initiative to fight climate change. Plants already in place have until they turn 50 or until 2030 before they will have to be shut down, whichever comes first.
Those that are retrofitted with carbon capture and storage would be able to remain open beyond 2030.
Jobs are already 小蓝视频 lost in the area with Westmoreland Mining LLC announcing they would be permanently laying off 25 people in the coming weeks.
鈥淯nfortunately, now we can鈥檛 compete with natural gas because of the carbon tax. We have a tough road ahead, not that we are giving up. We will continue to pursue clean coal technology. It鈥檚 green energy, we feel it does have an important part to play in our future,鈥� said Ludwig.
鈥淲e are hitting the ground running on economic development in our community 鈥� We鈥檙e looking at any opportunities that we can put in place to help build our community and create jobs,鈥� he added.
Mayor Ludwig also touched on the fact they are aware a large corporation would not come in with hundreds of jobs, but added that the goal of adding more jobs would be incremental.
Coronach will more than likely feel the sting more so than other areas. With a population of around 600, their mine employs 300 locals and residents in close surrounding areas. With the plant slated to shutdown in the coming years due to federal regulations, many in the town will be out of work. Mayor Trevor Schnell said that there are around 50 homes for sale in Coronach, a devastating number in a small town.
鈥淚t鈥檚 tough. It鈥檚 astonishing. [In] our town, we don鈥檛 have an oilfield, our town is coal and power, that is what we do. We have accepted that we are not going to fill 300 jobs. There is no point in trying to think you are going to do that. Let鈥檚 just start out small,鈥� said Schnell.
鈥淲ith this announcement, we can draw businesses in. We鈥檙e open, Coronach is open for business. Come see us, we are here to help,鈥� he added.
After the announcement and signing, Moe took questions in a media scrum where he continued to speak on the funds awarded to Estevan and Coronach and how important economic development will be in the coming years.
Moe also referenced the need for a tax credit like the 45Q incentive for carbon capture used in the U.S. which provides a foundational policy for increasing deployment of carbon capture projects.
鈥淲hat would be very beneficial would be for the federal government to consider an incentive that would encourage clean investment and encourage growth of carbon capture and storage, a clean industry. An industry that this province has been at the forefront of with public investment and pushing that technology along,鈥� said Moe.
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Jordan Stricker is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter for Glacier Media.
