Oilsands research group says it is a ‘logical’ recipient of carbon tax grants
CALGARY — An environmentalist says that an oilsands research consortium that believes it knows where industry can best improve its environmental practices shouldn’t be considered for grants paid for by carbon taxes.
Keith Stewart of Greenpeace said he disagrees with a suggestion made Tuesday by Dan Wicklum, CEO of Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance, that it’s a “logical” choice to help Alberta’s NDP government invest in environmental research funding initiatives or partnerships.
“The revenues from the carbon tax should be invested directly in solutions like community-based solar projects and better public transit as well as supporting communities to assist low-income households,” said Stewart.
“The big oil companies that make up COSIA don’t need a public subsidy to invest in the basic research and development required for them to make the transition to a low-carbon world.”