Managing our natural resources wisely

Budget 2006 makes investments to manage Alberta’s natural resources wisely and preserve land and water for the future.

With this budget, the government will add to its investment in Alberta’s Water for Life Strategy. Over the next three years, $172 million will be spent on municipal water and wastewater treatment facilities, on reducing the risk of liabilities from flooding, and on testing and protecting Alberta’s water supply.

Money will be invested in a new initiative to develop a comprehensive land use framework for Alberta – a framework that will guide future decisions on how Alberta’s land is used, whether that’s to preserve sensitive grasslands, open up recreation areas, manage growth around our major cities, or preserve our valuable farmland.

Another $12 million will be spent this year on initiatives related to climate change including major research initiatives through the Alberta Energy Research Institute.

One emerging area is the work on a new future for Alberta’s vast supplies of coal.
With government’s support, the Alberta Energy Research Institute will partner with leading Alberta-based industries to develop clean coal technology – technology designed to eliminate emissions. The result will be a cleaner environment, a long-term source for energy in Alberta, and a wealth of new opportunity to expand Alberta’s economy and build for the future.