The Saskatchewan’s new carbon-capture facility

Canada is well known for its sustainable environment and its largely undeveloped natural resources. In the prairies especially, the Tar-Sand or other energy project has become the center of controversy; energy companies have to make a difficult choice between efficient, profitable means of operations or sustainable yet uneconomic use of natural resource.

In October 2nd 2014, Saskatchewan has taken initiative to create a large coal-fired power plants that can retrofit more than 1 million tons of carbon dioxide per year, which in comparison, the whole power plants can absorb as much carbon dioxide as almost 40 million trees. Maria van der Hoeven, from the international energy agency, asserts that the power plant is “historic milestone on the path to a low-carbon future,” and the technology can create environmentally sustainable resources. However, we should not discount the fact that the whole power plants require more than 1.4 billion canadian dollars, and electricity will rise drastically by 80% in order to cover the expense.  Even though the power plants can effectively decrease carbon dioxide emission and generates green energy, the power plants is funded on taxpayer’s money and should be used in an economical way and really create positive externalities within the community. The power plants is a very expensive investment, and my analysis shows that the power plants is costing too much and creating little public utility despite the effort to create a sustainable environment. The government of Saskatchewan need to find new ways to decrease greenhouse gas emission, and the simple yet best alternative would be to raise awareness in the public and encourage a more sustainable lifestyles.

http://www.economist.com/news/business-and-finance/21622238-although-saskatchewans-new-carbon-capture-facility-start-technology-still