For the first time in more than 150 years, Alberta's electricity is coal free

Coal Phase-Out and Natural Gas Shift

• Alberta’s grid is now coal-free, but most commenters note it has largely shifted to natural gas (“methane”) rather than to low-carbon sources.
• Some generation is also backed up by oil-derived fuels in peak situations, though others dispute how widespread that is.
• Several people see this as a modest improvement (less CO₂ and particulates than coal) but not a real decarbonization.

Emissions Debate: Gas vs Coal and Methane Leakage

• Multiple comments stress that methane leaks can make gas power much worse in CO₂-equivalent terms if leakage rates are high.
• One side argues leaks are small and flaring is common, so gas remains substantially better than coal per kWh.
• Others cite studies suggesting ~5–10% leakage of gross production is plausible, which would erode or eliminate the climate advantage.
• There is skepticism about industry self-reported leak data.

Alberta Politics and Renewable Policy

• The provincial government is described as strongly aligned with oil and gas and hostile to renewables.
• A 7‑month pause on new renewables and subsequent “viewscape” and land-use restrictions reportedly killed or scared off large solar and wind investments.
• Commenters say Alberta previously had minimal red tape for grid-scale solar; that advantage is seen as squandered.

Renewables Potential, Grid, and Storage

• Alberta is said to have the best combined wind and solar resources in Canada and access to hydro-heavy British Columbia via interties.
• Some argue Alberta could reach ~70% renewables without significant storage, purely via overbuild and geographic diversity.
• Others emphasize winter peaks (e.g., −30°C evenings) and low winter sun, arguing storage and/or dispatchable backup (gas, possibly hydrogen, pumped hydro, etc.) remain essential.
• There is debate over the practicality and cost of long-duration storage (batteries vs pumped hydro vs underground hydrogen).

Economic Role of Oil Sands and Other Sectors

• Oil sands are described as extremely carbon-intensive (about 2.2× conventional oil per barrel) and responsible for significant petcoke exports burned abroad.
• Estimates in the thread: tar sands ~1.7% of Canada’s GDP but roughly one-third of Alberta’s; mining/oil/gas ~8% of national GDP.
• Several comments push back on the idea that “Canada’s economy is wholly dependent” on tar sands, noting large roles for manufacturing, services, and real estate.

Global Context and Fairness Arguments

• Some Canadians express frustration that India and China are still increasing coal use.
• Others counter that Canada’s per-capita and historical emissions are far higher; China and India are poorer, still industrializing, and rapidly building renewables.
• Several argue rich countries should both decarbonize faster at home and help finance clean energy in developing nations.