Regulations Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Natural Gas-fired Generation of Electricity

A submission by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) and several health-focused organizations providing comments on the proposed Regulations Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Natural Gas-fired Generation of Electricity. While supporting the phase-out of coal by 2030, the coalition warns that relying on inefficient natural gas technologies could undermine health and climate benefits due to upstream methane emissions and the release of nitrogen oxides (NOx).

• The coalition expresses concern that the proposed gas regulations may reduce the health and climate benefits of the coal phase-out by promoting long-term reliance on inefficient natural gas-fired technologies.
• Upstream natural gas extraction, specifically hydraulic fracturing, is linked to significant health risks. A 2018 systematic review of studies from 2009 to 2015 found that 84% of research on human health risks showed signs of harm or potential harm, 87% found significant air pollutant emissions, and 69% found evidence of or potential for water contamination.
• Methane emissions from the oil and gas sector present a major climate risk, with the IPCC estimating methane is 86 times more powerful as a climate forcer than CO2 over a 20-year period. In Canada, the oil and gas sector is responsible for 44% of methane emissions, which make up about 15% of the country's total greenhouse gases.
• Natural gas-fired technologies emit nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute to ground-level ozone and secondary fine particulate matter (PM2.5). These pollutants are associated with respiratory irritation, asthma aggravation, chronic heart and lung diseases, and premature deaths.
• The coalition proposes reducing the CO2 emission rate for medium-sized combustion engine units (25 to 150 MW) from 550 kg to 500 kg CO2/MWHr, as nine such units in Canada achieved rates below 500 kg in 2017.
• The submission argues that coal-to-gas boilers that cannot meet the 400 kg emission rate should be prohibited from operating after December 31, 2029, to prevent inefficient boilers from operating beyond the coal phase-out date.
• The coalition suggests that stand-alone natural gas-fired combustion engines should be phased out by 2040, except for peaking plants that complement renewable energy systems.

APA

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (2018). Regulations Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Natural Gas-fired Generation of Electricity. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Health-Gas-Submission-April-17-2018-1.pdf#new_tab

Chicago

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. Regulations Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Natural Gas-fired Generation of Electricity. 2018. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Health-Gas-Submission-April-17-2018-1.pdf#new_tab.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment |title=Regulations Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Natural Gas-fired Generation of Electricity |date=17 April 2018 |url=https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Health-Gas-Submission-April-17-2018-1.pdf#new_tab |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{canadianassociationofphysiciansfortheenvironment2018regulations, author = {{Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}}, title = {{Regulations Limiting Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Natural Gas-fired Generation of Electricity}}, publisher = {Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}, year = {2018}, month = apr, url = {https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Health-Gas-Submission-April-17-2018-1.pdf#new_tab}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }