Alberta not pushing Ottawa to adopt carbon levy, says Redford

Alberta is not pushing the federal government to adopt a carbon tax, says Premier Alison Redford.

While in Ottawa Monday, the premier was reported to have been advocating for a national carbon levy.

At the Alberta legislature Tueday, Redford told reporters she is only interested in letting other governments know about Alberta's plan which charges large emitters that can't meet carbon targets $15 per tonne.

That money then goes into a fund to fund green initiatives and environmental research.

"We have a model that we like here in Alberta," she said. "It's been successful. I am in no way advocating any sort of a national carbon tax. That's for other governments to decide."

Alberta's fund has collected more than $300 million since 2007.

Wildrose leader Danielle Smith said a national carbon tax would transfer wealth from Alberta to eastern Canada.

NDP leader Brian Mason credits pressure from the oil industry in convincing Redford to reverse her comments.