MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 28, 2009

New Renewable Energy Goals are Meaningless if 2010 Target Failures are Dismissed

Halifax – While the new renewable energy targets announced today sound impressive, it does not appear that we are on a path to meet our 2010 goals. “If the Province dismisses this short term target, why should we think the new 2015 goal has any weight?” questions Cheryl Ratchford, Energy Coordinator at the EAC.

Today the new provincial government moved the renewable energy target 5 years ahead of schedule today aiming at 25% renewable electricity by 2015.

During the recent Utility and Review Board Biomass hearing, Nova Scotia Power has expressed doubt that they will meet renewable energy standard of 5% renewable energy by 2010. The company is liable of up to $500 000 a day in fines if they do not meet this target, but Premier Dexter has not expressed that NSPI will be penalized for its failure to go green.

Ratchford expressed concern that this means that the government is backing off the 2010 goal. “The utility should be held accountable for meeting this target – otherwise, what assurance do we have that the 2015 target will actually be achieved?” This is a question that cannot be overlooked because if accountability for performance is absent the targets are essentially meaningless.

It is a positive step that a Dalhousie led stakeholder process will be set up to answer how the goal can be met. We have a wealth of renewable energy resources in Nova Scotia and this target is very achievable if a number of initiates take place. Some of these will include new polices and legislation, educational opportunities, renewable energy research and implementation of energy storage and green grid technologies.

One of the most cost effective and fastest ways to develop renewable energy is through the implementation of feed laws. This allows regular Nova Scotians the opportunity to develop, invest in, and profit from generating their own electricity. Feed laws guarantee access to the grid and fair prices that are stable for up to 20 years. The NDP Government has committed to implementing feed laws during the election campaign and the EAC expects that this is one of the key policies that will move the Province to achieve 25% renewable energy by 2015.

This signals that our new government understands that developing renewable energy translates into new jobs for Nova Scotians. Greening the economy is about building the jobs of the future, taking action on climate change and protecting our environment. We have the natural resources, labour force, and ambition to make this happen.

Moving aggressively toward clean energy is important for all of these reasons, but the accountability issue remains a central concern and something that the Province will have to answer to.

“This should be a very good move for Nova Scotia, but if penalties for inaction are absent we may have to call it a renewable energy hope or ambition as opposed to a regulatory target,” said Ratchford.

For further information, please contact:
Energy Coordinator, Cheryl Ratchford, W: 902.442.0199, C: 902.441.7047