The Alberta Budget 2016 emphasizes the need for new energy solutions and sets out the importance of renewing the province’s infrastructure.
Infrastructure investment over five years doubles investment in affordable housing to almost $900 million and allocates $365 million for continuing care facilities. Plans are for $3.5 billion to build and modernize schools, including $500 million for additional school projects in future capital plans. The budget also indicates help for municipalities to address their infrastructure needs with $9 billion in funding, primarily through grants from the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI).
The Alberta Climate Leadership Plan plays a significant part in plans to diversify the energy industry and energy markets. A carbon levy of $20 per tonne will become effective on January 1, 2017. One year later, the levy will increase by $10, to $30 per tonne. The reinvested revenue will provide $6.2 billion over five years for investments:
• $3.4 billion for large-scale renewable energy projects, transformative innovation and technology, bioenergy initiatives as well as to provide for Plan implementation.
• $2.2 billion in green infrastructure like public transit.
• $645 million through Energy Efficiency Alberta, a new provincial agency to support energy efficiency and micro-generation initiatives.
— Decentralised Energy Canada, May 2016
See also an online video on "Exploring the future of geothermal energy in Alberta":