Energy Strategies - Saskatchewan

Ministry of Energy

Ministry of Energy and Resources


Minister

The Honourable Bill Boyd


Documents

Saskatchewan Overview

While the previous NDP government had launched an energy strategy in April 2007, seven months before being replaced by the current governing Saskatchewan Party, the Government of Saskatchewan does not have a published energy strategy.

According to Floyd Wist, Executive Director of Energy Policy, there are currently no plans for a consolidated energy strategy document. The government's current policy is to "look at opportunities presented by our resource base and promote development of those resources."

On December 1, 2009, the Government of Saskatchewan introduced climate legislation (64 KB PDF) that required emissions to be reduced by 20 per cent from 2006 levels by 2020. This legislation was also designed to create a "Saskatchewan Technology Fund," similar to Alberta's Climate Change and Emissions Management Fund in that it would collect payments from large emitters to invest in low-emission and emission-reducing technologies, and a Climate Change Foundation, intended to promote public awareness of and research into low-carbon technologies.

The Ministry of Energy and Resources produces an annual report. The 2011-12 report included an update on the development of an e-tenure system for mineral dispositions, incentives for horizontal gas well drilling and a new royalty system for diamond production.

The Ministry's 2012-2013 plan clearly identifies four key activities:

  1. Advance resource development – Increase exploration, development and investment
  2. Regulate resource development – Require compliance with recognized standards within a responsible, predictable, and competitive framework
  3. Generate resource revenue – Collect a fair economic rent that is predictable and transparent
  4. Operate effectively – Ensure timely, responsive and effective decision making, and service delivery

Highlights of the current report include beginning to implement new standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the flaring and venting of associated natural gas, completing the expansion of the ministry's Subsurface Geological Laboratory and providing funding for education and business development support to First Nations.

News releases for the two ministries responsible for the energy and environment portfolios follow.


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