Canada's power sector welcomes EPAÂ’s treatment of exports

EPA Clean Power Plan Canadian electricity imports enable GHG reduction via non-emitting hydropower, nuclear, and renewables, supporting cross-border grid integration, compliance flexibility, reliability, and decarbonization pathways for U.S. states and utilities.

The Canadian Electricity Association, or CIA, is pleased to see electricity exports from Canada included among the many greenhouse gas GHG reduction options made available to U.S. states under the final version of the Clean Power Plan, issued recently by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, also known as EPA.

Under the new regulation, EPA has assigned each U.S. state a specific target for reducing GHG emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired power plants. The rule identifies a menu of solutions states can apply to meet their respective targets and affirms that the use of non-emitting resources from outside the U.S., such as green power from Canada available through cross-border trade, is an acceptable strategy, so long as imported energy meets the same compliance conditions as non-emitting energy produced in the United States.

“In view of the urgent imperative to act on climate change, CEA applauds EPA for leaving the door open to states to seek GHG reduction benefits through Canadian electricity imports,” said CEA’s President & CEO, the Honourable Sergio Marchi. “Along with a diverse community of U.S. state, utility, business, and environmental partners, we believe that the integration of the U.S. and Canadian power systems can help maximize North American green energy potential across the continent. We’re delighted to see this approach accommodated in this initiative, which represents the cornerstone of President Obama’s climate action plan.”

Since the Clean Power Plan was first announced in 2013, CEA has played a leading role through its cross-border grid policy review and outreach in advocating for EPA to send a clear signal that U.S. states and utilities would have the flexibility to use exports of low- and non-emitting electricity from Canada as a GHG-reduction measure.

With abundant hydropower resources, a sizeable nuclear fleet, and expanding renewable production, Canada boasts one of the cleanest supply mixes in the world, with approximately 80 percent non-GHG-emitting generation. The vast majority of electricity exports to the U.S., even as some argue for reduced imports from Canada to the grid, involve the sale of surplus output from major hydro-producing provinces, such as British Columbia, Manitoba, and Québec, and from nuclear and hydro supplies in Ontario. Cross-border trade is expected to continue growing through development of new clean energy sources in Canada, such as the Lower Churchill hydropower projects in Labrador.

“The Canadian electric utility industry is well positioned to assist our American partners, and we can provide support in a manner which enhances system reliability and facilitates new growth in clean energy on both sides of the border,” added Mr. Marchi. “As the focus now shifts to implementing the Clean Power Plan at the state and regional level, and as the Infrastructure Act is expected to bolster cooperation, CEA looks forward to working with EPA, states, and other stakeholders – in particular, on satisfying the criteria set forth by EPA to ensure a level playing field on which Canadian resources can contribute.”

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