Frequently Asked Questions

Under normal circumstances all IP remains with the original owner. As stewards of public funds, ERA does require public reporting of the project outcomes and learnings which is the reason for the required license of IP, but business/competitive confidentiality is maintained. Upon funding award, ERA will enter into a legal participant agreement with the project proponent. The agreement includes terms that pertain to confidentiality and privacy for both ERA and the proponent. For more information on ERA’s privacy and confidentiality policies visit https://www.eralberta.ca/privacy/.

ERA collects and publicly reports key outcomes data, such as emissions reductions and job creation, for all funded projects on an aggregated basis. Public reporting of outcomes and learnings is required in order for ERA to satisfy its accountability obligations to the Government of Alberta. Application details are kept confidential on a permanent basis.

There is a range of eligible technologies available to reduce methane slip (see the Eligible Technologylist). Note that other technologies not listed may be considered for funding through the program. For questions about eligible project types or how to submit an application for other technologies, please contact support@mrp-deployment.ca

No, ERA does not provide this type of service. Interested parties are encouraged to make use of industry associations, technology accelerators, and other resources when assembling a consortium.  

We will post all webinar recordings about the Methane Reduction Deployment Program to ERA’s website. There will be additional webinars added to the website in the future. For technology-specific training we suggest consulting your technology or service providers.

Yes, any natural gas engine that has methane slip is eligible for funding if there is a solution to eliminate the slip.

Measurement monitoring technologies are only eligible when paired with a solution which reduces methane emissions. Additionally, the monitoring technology must remain installed with the paired abatement technology throughout the duration of the solution. 

Past recipients are eligible for funding for new Methane Reduction Deployment Program projects provided their project is distinct from the work previously funded by ERA.  

Only brownfield (retrofit) projects are eligible. These are projects at existing facilities that involve upgrades, modifications, or retrofits. New construction or major expansions (greenfield projects) are not eligible. Greenfield projects include either a completely new site or an expansion that significantly changes a facility’s footprint, capacity, or function.

No. All projects must be completed within two years of the Participant Agreement execution date, or by March 31, 2029—whichever comes first.

Yes. To be eligible for funding, projects must achieve methane reductions beyond existing regulatory compliance. Activities undertaken solely to meet regulatory obligations are not eligible. The program is intended to support measures that reduce methane to levels above current standards.

For example, if a project reduces emissions from pneumatic devices from high-bleed to zero-bleed, funding would generally apply only to the reduction from low-bleed to zero-bleed. Projects are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

If a technology is not on the list, proponents may still apply for funding. Please contact the program’s support team at support@mrp-deployment.ca for guidance on how to submit an application for an unlisted technology.

A separate application must be submitted for each parent technology type but you can submit one application for multiple technologies under the same technology type.

For example, you can submit one application that includes both pneumatic electrification and pneumatic device vent gas capture as both technologies are under the same parent technology (i.e. pneumatics).If you have a storage tank vapor recovery project and an advanced process control and optimization project, you would need to submit two applications as the projects have different parent technology types (i.e., routine venting and digital solutions).

Project applications must be submitted by the participant. However, during the application process, participants may identify Eligible Contractor(s) they are working with. Participants may also invite Eligible Contractor(s) to collaborate on their application at any time. This enables Eligible Contractor(s) to upload supporting information required for the project application submission.

A participant cannot generate any offsets or Environmental Performance Credits (EPC) when receiving funding from the Methane Reduction Deployment Program.

Yes. Participants can stack funding with other programs. However, participants must disclose other funding sources and the total amount of funding cannot exceed 100% of project costs.

Yes. Projects may begin before receiving approval at their own risk, as long as work starts no earlier than January 1, 2025. Additionally, eligible project costs must be incurred on or after the program launch date (November 12, 2025) and before March 31, 2029. Please note that funding is only formally reserved once the Participant Agreement is executed.