N.S. energy plan falls short, groups say

A pair of environmental groups say they were left wanting more after Premier Iain Rankin's announcement Thursday of a $19-million investment in rebates to encourage Nova Scotians to buy electric vehicles and make their homes more energy efficient.

“We could act immediately to turn off 30 per cent of our coal fired plants and get to 90 per cent renewables by 2030,” said Gretchen Fitzgerald, with Sierra Club Atlantic.

During his announcement, Rankin said that by 2030, Nova Scotia will require 80 per cent of the electricity on its grid to come from renewable sources.

The province is currently just below 40 per cent in energy from renewable sources but Rankin said when Muskrat Falls comes online, that number will jump to about 60 per cent. The bulk of the remaining 20 per cent will come from wind energy, the premier said.

Fitzgerald said an interconnection deal with Quebec hydro power through New Brunswick could achieve the coal reduction in the immediate future.

“We've known about it for years, and so has Nova Scotia Power and so has the province,” Fitzgerald said of the potential hydro deal.

“It just takes some collaboration and discussions and that could happen this year. I emphasize existing hydro because we are definitely not in favour of new hydro.

"It honestly seems to be a just-come-to-the-table-andsomebody-ask-somebody-to dance problem.”

Fitzgerald said that would be a way to kickstart getting one or two of the province's four coalfired electric plants shut down.

“Let's declare an emergency like an emergency, not something that we put off until tomorrow,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald said Nova Scotia Power is engaged in “a pretty status quo” integrated resource plan.

“The province is going to have to instruct Nova Scotia Power very firmly on what it wants in terms of targets,” Fitzgerald said. “Nova Scotia Power has the ability to keep burning coal until 2040, thanks to agreements we signed. If we want to see this happen the province better give a strong signal through regulation. Otherwise, it doesn't look like Nova Scotia Power is very interested in transitioning quickly.

“They (NSP) talked quite a bit about natural gas and that's not the transition that we need or want.”

Half of the $19-million investment announced Thursday will be used as rebates for Nova Scotians who want to make the move to cleaner, electric vehicles.

The $9.5 million will provide rebates of $3,000 toward the purchase of a new electric vehicle, $2,000 for used electric vehicles and $500 for e-bikes.

The other $9.5 million will be invested to help 1,200 lowerincome Nova Scotians make their homes more comfortable and energy efficient, while protecting their family budgets.

Rankin said the home improvements can be made in the form of heat pumps, new windows or construction.

“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by investing in energy efficiency retrofits in existing buildings is one of the most effective ways our province can do its part to combat climate change,” said Ben Grieder, energy co-ordinator with the Ecology Action Centre. “EAC'S Green Jobs Report shows that investing in energy efficiency creates jobs, increases thermal comfort in homes and makes energy more affordable for everyone. The new $9.5-million investment is a welcome sign.”

Both the EAC and the Sierra Club took the province to task for its large-scale biomass projects that burn wood fibre to create electricity and government's characterization of biomass as a renewable energy source.

"If we are going to power our EVS (eledtric vehicles) off of our forests and off of coal, it doesn't make any sense," Fitzgerald said.

“The biggest environmental issue in the province is dealing with devastation in our forests,. The crisis of climate and the devastation of nature are snowballing. We have to confront them together, not treat them as separate.”

Fitzgerald said the government must set renewable energy standards and tie them to regulation, timelines and milestones that take effect before 2030.

“Let's talk about next year, let's talk about the year after, about interim targets and not allowing biomass or natural gas infrastructure and investments to continue,” Fitzgerald said. “They (NSP) just announced about a $30-million investment in their coal and biomass plants. That's money well wasted. It just can't continue.”