Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction Regulation

Overview

The Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) Regulation replaced the Carbon Competitiveness Incentive Regulation (CCIR) on January 1, 2020.

The TIER regulation applies to facilities that emitted 100,000 tonnes CO₂e or more per year of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in 2016, or a subsequent year.

A facility with less than 100,000 tonnes CO₂e per year may be eligible to opt-in to the TIER if it competes against a facility regulated under the TIER regulation, or emits 10,000 tonnes CO₂e or more per year and belongs to a sector with high emissions intensity and trade exposure.

The owner of two more conventional oil and gas facilities may apply to have those facilities regulated under the TIER regulation by applying to form a conventional oil and gas aggregate. More information for conventional oil and gas facilities is available on the TIER Conventional Oil and Gas sector TIER website.

Facility owners may also be eligible to receive economic relief under the Compliance Cost Containment Program.

The Alberta Emission Offset System enables the generation of Alberta Emission Offsets as a method of compliance under TIER.

The TIER regulation was amended in July 2020 to allow additional sectors to voluntarily opt-in to the regulation and reduce administrative burden for regulated conventional oil and gas facilities. The amendments can be reviewed in Order in Council (233/2020) (PDF, 230 KB) , and an amended version of the full regulation will be available on this webpage when available.

Regulation

Opt-in application

Facilities that satisfy the criteria under the regulation may apply to opt-in to the regulation.

By opting in, facilities may apply to become exempt from the application of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (GGPPA) for fuels whose emissions are included in their site reporting.

TIER Opt-in Application Form (XLS, 1.7 MB)
TIER Opt-in Fact Sheet (PDF, 420 KB)
Standard for Developing Benchmarks
Guidance for Creating Boundary Files (PDF, 2.4 MB)

Conventional oil and gas opt-in

The owner of two or more conventional oil and gas facilities may apply to have those facilities regulated under the TIER regulation by applying to form a conventional oil and gas aggregate facility (PDF, 219 KB) .

Additional information is available on the TIER Conventional Oil and Gas sector website.

Benchmark Setting

The TIER regulation makes use of both facility specific and high performance benchmarks. Details of the benchmark setting process are available here:

Standard for Developing Benchmarks

For large emitter and opt-in facilities applying for benchmarks the following form can be used for facilities with one product or facilities with multiple products including facilities with self-generation of electricity:

Single-Product Benchmark Form (XLS, 1.3 MB)
Multi-Product Benchmark Form (XLS, 1.3 MB)
Self-Generation Form for Multi-Product Facilities (XLS, 274 KB)

The following instructional videos provide a step-by-step overview for filling out the forms.

Compliance reporting documents

All facilities are required to submit verified annual compliance reports yearly by June 30 of the following year. Supporting documents for the compliance reporting process will be published on this page.

Standard for Completing Greenhouse Compliance and Forecasting Reports

Forecasting report

Forecasting reports are required under the regulation for facilities that have had emissions of one million tonnes CO₂e or more per year. Supporting documents for the forecasting reporting requirements will be published on this page.

Standard for Completing Greenhouse Compliance and Forecasting Reports

Verification documents

Compliance reporting and benchmark applications require third party assurance.

Standard for Validation, Verification and Audit

Notification of changes

All facilities are required to submit a notification of certain changes to the facility as set out in section 25 of the regulation. These include changes to the person responsible for a large emitter or opt-in facility.

The following form should be used for this purpose:

TIER Notification Form (XLSM, 346 KB)

The form may also be voluntarily used to notify of a change in the certifying official or reporter for person responsible.

Compliance Cost Containment Program

If TIER regulation compliance costs exceed 3% of sales or 10% of profit at a facility, the owner of that facility may be eligible to receive relief under the program. Additional information about the Compliance Cost Containment Program is available in the Standard for Developing Benchmarks.

Drafts for comment

There are no drafts currently published for comment at this time.

Stakeholder presentations and other background information

Fact sheets:

TIER Regulation Fact Sheet (PDF, 223 KB)
TIER Opt-in Fact Sheet (PDF, 255 KB)
Federal Fuel Charge Exemption Application TIER Fact Sheet (PDF, 210 KB)

Other reference materials:

TIER Amendments - Stakeholder Information Webinar - August 2020 (PDF, 603 KB)
TIER Webinar (PDF, 603 KB)
TIER Conventional Oil and Gas Session (PDF, 1.0 MB)
Guidance for Creating Boundary Files (PDF, 2.4 MB)
TIER Cost Estimator Tool (XLSX, 565 KB)

Also see the TIER Conventional Oil and Gas webpage for additional information specific to conventional oil and gas aggregate facilities.

See the Alberta Emission Offset System webpage for additional information specific to generation of Alberta Emission Offsets.

Contact

Connect with Alberta Environment and Parks about the TIER regulation:
Email: aep.ghg@gov.ab.ca

Subscribe to TIER mailing list

This automatic email system distributes information pertaining to the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction system to subscribers. This list and website are the primary sources of information and updates on greenhouse gas mitigation for Alberta.

This information is collected so we may provide you with updates.

The email address you provide to Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) is collected under the authorization of Section 8 (1) (2) of the Government Organization Act, and is being managed in accordance with Section 33 (c) of the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Submitting this information is strictly voluntary and by providing your email address you are giving AEP your permission to use your email address to subscribe to updates on AEP Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction System Mailing List. Your email address will be shared in confidence with direct line Manager, Director and System Administrator. Your personal information will not be used or disclosed for any other purpose without your consent by AEP.

Should you wish to have your personal information removed, changed or have any further questions or concerns, please contact John Storey-Bishoff, Regulatory and Compliance at 780-644-7119.

This information is collected so we may provide you with updates. The email address you provide to Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) is collected under the authorization of Section 8 (1) (2) of the Government Organization Act, and is being managed in accordance with Section 33 (c) of the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Submitting this information is strictly voluntary and by providing your email address you are giving AEP your permission to use your email address to subscribe to updates on AEP Technology Innovation and Emission Reduction Mailing List. Your email address will be shared in confidence with direct line Manager, Director and System Administrator. Your personal information will not be used or disclosed for any other purpose without your consent by AEP.