By Canadian Press

Wilkinson says aid program to cut methane emissions will be reconsidered

Nov 26, 2021 | 10:57 AM

OTTAWA — Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says a pandemic aid program to help oil and gas companies cut their methane emissions will be revisited now that the industry is back on its feet.

The Onshore Emissions Reduction Fund is under an unflattering spotlight this week after an audit found it to be poorly designed and not good value for money.

Environment Commissioner Jerry DeMarco’s audit released Thursday criticized the program for overstating the emissions cuts it could achieve.

In Ottawa today Wilkinson says the program was conceived 20 months ago to help oil and gas companies stay afloat at a time when oil prices had tanked.

But Wilkinson says the situation for the industry is very different now than in April 2020 and it is time to look at whether the program should continue.

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The program was to dole out $675-million but to date has only approved $134 million for 26 companies to carry out 86 methane emissions-cutting projects.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2021.

Mia Rabson, The Canadian Press