The government of the province of Saskatchewan confirmed that the federal government's plan to make the Canadian electricity grid carbon neutral by 2035 will cost the province 40 billion dollars, in addition to causing job losses.

According to the minister responsible for SaskPower, Dustin Duncan, the approach taken by the federal government "is unaffordable, unconstitutional, and technologically and logistically impossible."

Mr. Duncan said in a press release issued yesterday, Tuesday, that "the proposed clean electricity regulations will jeopardize the reliability of the electricity grid in Saskatchewan and increase electricity prices, making it unaffordable."

The Saskatchewan government also sees that electricity prices "could double" by 2035 to compensate for expenses related to federal coal regulations, according to estimates from SaskPower.

The province also estimates that to meet federal requirements, the company will need to "increase, replace, and rebuild more than 100% of its current electricity generation capacity" within 11 years, with a significant expansion of its grid as well.

Dustin Duncan estimates that in addition to the bill "which amounts to about 40 billion dollars," hundreds of SaskPower employees will lose their jobs if the province proceeds with the federal plan.

In May, the Saskatchewan government revealed its plan to make the electricity distribution network in the province more environmentally friendly by 2050, that is, 15 years after the target set by Ottawa.

The federal clean electricity regulation requires that all electricity generated be from renewable sources, such as hydroelectric and wind power, or that facilities be equipped for carbon capture.

For his part, federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault earlier expressed his desire to work with provinces to achieve these goals. He also rejected claims that the federal plan would come with unaffordable costs.