The government of Alberta is looking to make changes to the energy grid, including allowing ratepayers to opt for hydrogen use in their utilities.
Bill 52, the Energy and Utilities Statutes Amendment Act, was introduced in the provincial legislature on April 10 by Minister of Affordability and Utilities Nathan Neudorf.
He said the changes being proposed would clear the way for innovation in the province’s energy system.
The changes would include enabling “hydrogen blending in the natural gas distribution system” for heating to homes and businesses. It’s something that would cost users more, but has less emissions, the minister said.
“The incentive is less emissions because hydrogen burns more cleanly than natural gas, even though natural gas is extremely clean. So there is that incentive there, and many, many within Alberta want to choose a lower emission future. It does come at a cost,” Neudorf said in response to a reporter’s question at a press conference on April 10.
Customers would need to agree to have hydrogen as part of their energy source.
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Neudorf also said the move would require compliance with standards for hydrogen use set by the Canadian Safety Association, which currently allows up to 5 percent hydrogen in natural gas, he said.
Provincial NDP utilities critic Sharif Haji said the move is overdue, and that it is not clear when the new changes would be available.
“There is also no clarity in terms of cost … and what it will cost the ratepayer,” he said.
Other amendments in the act would include a change to power market rules and transmission policies, the government said.
The change would see the cost of building new transmission lines or grid capacity move from ratepayers to energy producers.
Its goal is to “strengthen the power grid, lower and stabilize utility bills, and encourage investment in the province.”
The government said the bill would also maximize the use of existing lines to be more efficient, as well as ensure new power projects are built in “optimal locations.”
The Canadian Press contributed to this article.
