One down, three to go and just 11 days remaining.

The deadline to reach key agreements in the landmark Alberta-Canada energy memorandum of understanding (MOU) is rapidly approaching.

Varcoe: As April 1 deadline on Alberta-Ottawa energy pact looms, deal on methane reduction nears Back to video

By April 1, the two sides aim to strike deals on an array of outstanding issues — industrial carbon pricing in Alberta, a new methane reduction deal and a proposal to develop one of the world’s largest carbon capture networks.

It’s a lot of heavy lifting on some intricate files in a short amount of time, but the next milestone could come as early as next week — potentially announcing a methane equivalency agreement — and knocking off another key item from the initial MOU to-do list.

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Government sources said the sides are “very close” if not finalized on the methane policy in the deal, which set out the target of reducing industry methane emissions by 75 per cent from 2014 levels by 2035.

On Wednesday, Premier Danielle Smith noted federal and provincial officials were meeting this week.

“I know we’re getting close to that April 1 deadline, but it won’t be too much longer,” Smith said.

“I don’t think it’s in anybody’s interest to drag this along, because the sooner everybody knows how the table is set and the rules of the game, then the sooner we can get on to submitting........

© Calgary Herald