Alberta, Ottawa reach 'agreement-in-principle' on methane emissions

CALGARY — Alberta will be in control of regulating its methane emissions under an agreement-in-principle with Ottawa.

The two governments inked a sweeping accord late last year touching on several energy policy matters.

The memorandum of understanding included a plan to reach a methane equivalency agreement on or before April 1 aimed at reducing the overlap of federal and provincial rules.

A formal equivalency agreement is still in the works and is now expected to be finalized by the end of this year.

The MOU set out a goal of cutting emissions of the potent greenhouse gas by 75 per cent from 2014 levels by 2035 — five years later than earlier federal draft regulations had called for.

The Alberta government says without an equivalency agreement, both federal and provincial rules would apply, increasing costs and creating duplication.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 25, 2026.

Lauren Krugel, The Canadian Press