Home
World
Canada
- BC
- Calgary
- Edmonton
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Thunder Bay
- Sudbury
- Windsor
- Toronto
- Ottawa
- Montreal
- NB
- PEI
- NS
- NL
- North
Politics
Health
Arts & Entertainment
- Music
- Film
- Television
- Books
- Media
- Art & Design
- Theatre
Technology & Science
Money
Consumer Life
Diversions
Weather
Your Voice

Province to boost amount of electricity from green sources

Last Updated: Thursday, January 25, 2007 | 3:06 PM AT

CBC News

The Nova Scotia government said Thursday it has introduced new regulations to ensure that nearly 20 per cent of the province's electricity comes from renewable sources by 2013.

Energy Minister Bill Dooks made the announcement in Halifax, saying the mandatory targets in the regulations are among the "most aggressive in Canada" and the new rules will promote such green energy sources as wind, tidal, biomass and solar.

'We are going to get cleaner, greener energy to power our homes and businesses.'-Energy Minister Bill Dooks

The regulations, under Nova Scotia's Electricity Act, are designed to change the province's electricity market.

"Nova Scotians want more renewable energy generated in our province," Dooks said. "That is why we are going to get cleaner, greener energy to power our homes and businesses and we are going to do it in the most cost-effective way possible."

Under the regulations, six years from now, roughly 400 megawatts a day will come from what the province calls clean, sustainable energy sources, enough to meet the energy needs of more than 100,000 households.

The government has set targets for the increase in renewable energy to be met by 2010 and by 2013. Utilities that fail to meet those targets will face a fine of up to $500,000 a day.

Independent producers

To meet the 2010 target, only independent producers will be allowed to bid on new renewable energy projects to reduce the use of coal and oil to generate electricity, Dooks said.

Luciano Lisi, chief financial officer of Cape Breton Power, said the changes will be good for wind power in the province.

"We will certainly bid on any [project] that comes along, depending on our location, resources, availability of turbines … and we certainly plan to grow substantially," he said.

The government also passed the Wholesale Market Rules regulation. As of Feb. 1, the province's six municipal utilities will be able to buy electricity directly from suppliers and export electricity to other jurisdictions.

Halifax Regional Councillor Andrew Younger said Thursday the new rule opens the market.

"What it does is it allows us to look at lots more options. It allows us to not only buy power from Nova Scotia Power, but it allows us to look at all kinds of other places as well," he said.

Younger said the new rules will allow Halifax to generate its own electricity, even though it does not yet have the facilities in place.

This story is now closed to commenting.

Nova Scotia Headlines

Hurlburt resigns amid spending flap: Yarmouth MLA Richard Hurlburt has resigned in the wake of a spending controversy involving several Nova Scotia politicians.
Trenton colonel's charges spur cold case review: The 2001 slaying of a Nova Scotia woman at CFB Trenton in eastern Ontario is among the cases being re-examined after murder charges were laid against Col. Russell Williams.
Man arrested in North Preston death: Halifax RCMP have arrested a man in connection with a killing in North Preston, N.S., over the weekend.
Man attacks police, wrestles for gun: HRP: Police officers used a Taser to subdue a man after he punched them and tried to grab a gun, say Halifax Regional Police.
April Wine added to Canadian Hall of Fame: Rockers April Wine have earned a spot in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences says.

Canada Headlines

Health costs push Alberta budget deficit to $4.75B: Alberta's Progressive Conservative government is projecting a record $4.75-billion budget deficit and planning cuts in many departments while increasing health-care spending.
Trenton colonel's charges spur cold case review: The 2001 slaying of a Nova Scotia woman at CFB Trenton in eastern Ontario is among the cases being re-examined after murder charges were laid against Col. Russell Williams.
Neighbours stunned by arrest of Col. Williams: Ottawa resident Michael Gennis was stunned when he found out his new neighbour, Col. Russell Williams, had been charged with killing two women in eastern Ontario.
Olympic spirit will launch B.C. reforms: throne speech: The B.C. government says it will use the province's post-Olympics momentum to drive changes that include offering tax breaks to families with children, reforming education and lobbying Ottawa to amend "Byzantine bureaucratic practices."
Vancouver tap water vies with Olympic sponsor: Vancouver has started a campaign to encourage Olympic tourists to drink the region's tap water instead of buying bottled water, creating a potential conflict with one of the Games' biggest sponsors.

Top CBCNews.ca Headlines

Headlines

Trenton colonel's charges spur cold case review: The 2001 slaying of a Nova Scotia woman at CFB Trenton in eastern Ontario is among the cases being re-examined after murder charges were laid against Col. Russell Williams.
Health costs push Alberta budget deficit to $4.75B: Alberta's Progressive Conservative government is projecting a record $4.75-billion budget deficit and planning cuts in many departments while increasing health-care spending.
Ottawa to appeal injection site ruling: The federal government is asking the Supreme Court of Canada for leave to appeal a lower court ruling that sanctioned Vancouver's supervised drug injection site.
Haitian man pulled from rubble: A 28-year-old man has been pulled from rubble in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, claiming to have been trapped there since the massive earthquake on Jan. 12.
Tories need plan for isotope shortage: Ignatieff: Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff accused the Conservative government of having no plan of action to deal with a medical isotope shortage expected to worsen later this month.