WHEREAS the energy industry is critical to Alberta’s, Canada’s, and the world’s future economic prosperity; and

WHEREAS Alberta, its municipalities, and its citizens are committed to Alberta’s economic recovery through economic diversification that will include being a safe and reliable supplier of energy worldwide; and

WHEREAS Alberta, its municipalities, and its citizens are committed to working with energy industry leaders taking action to address the global climate crisis; and

WHEREAS hydrogen is a zero-emission fuel that will further diversify Alberta’s energy sector, enhance our economic competitiveness in a changing energy market and be an essential component of the new clean energy system as the world shifts towards its low carbon future; and

WHEREAS Alberta is Canada’s largest petrochemical processing area with significant current and future investments in hydrogen production and critical to any federal commitments; and

WHEREAS Alberta and Alberta municipalities have taken tangible steps through investment in hydrogen initiatives to be leaders in this sector; and

WHEREAS Alberta is home to researchers and innovators in industry and within post-secondary institutions;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta advocate to the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada to increase their commitment to support and resource current hydrogen initiatives throughout the province so that Alberta and its innovative energy industry partners may become leaders in the developing hydrogen economy.

On August 23, 2022, the Prime Minister of Canada, following meetings with the Chancellor of Germany, announced the countries signed a joint declaration of intent to establish a Canada-Germany Hydrogen Alliance. The proposed Alliance would help establish a TransAtlantic Canada-Germany supply corridor, with the target of beginning export by 2025. There was little comment, or commitment, on Alberta’s role in this important and newly developing hydrogen economy.

It is imperative that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta and the Government of Alberta act immediately and decisively to ensure that Alberta and its established hydrogen initiatives are able to take advantage of this market. Significant advocacy work is needed to ensure that the cross-Canada infrastructure needed to link Alberta resources to this new market opportunity are in place. Canada’s commitment cannot be met without Alberta and western Canada’s resources.

Stable and reliable energy markets have never been more critical. The vulnerability of the global energy markets has been highlighted since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Alberta must act on its competitive advantage to secure its position in the global hydrogen market. Alberta has the feedstock, supply chains, experience and is laying the foundation to capitalize on both. The development of Alberta’s hydrogen industry is actively supported by numerous organizations around the province. At the forefront of energy innovation are Alberta’s energy industry leaders.

Some of the lowest cost hydrogen production costs in the world are found in Alberta.

It is time that the advantages of Alberta are capitalized on with all orders of government, and their organizations, post-secondary institutions, and industry to ensure the opportunity of this generation, to be the world’s safe, most efficient and effective supplier of hydrogen, is not lost.

With the abundance of work being done in hydrogen development sphere, the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada must facilitate the partnerships and communication that is needed to realize the potential of hydrogen and position this province to diversify the energy sector immediately for the short, medium and long-term prosperity of this province.

RMA has no active resolutions directly related to this issue.