Proposed Amendments to Renewable Electricity Regulations Released

The province released the proposed amendments to the renewable electricity regulations today, June 27, for a 30-day public comment period.

"These proposed changes will ensure we reach our renewable electricity goals of stabilizing electricity costs and creating a greener, more sustainable province for future generations," said Energy Minister Charlie Parker. "We look forward to the public's comments on these changes that we feel will increase the amount of renewable electricity produced in the province."

The regulations, enacted in October 2010, were developed following a comprehensive consultation process. At that time, government indicated amendments would be required as additional decisions were made.

"This is another step in putting our Renewable Electricity Plan in action and encouraging renewable energy development in our communities," said Mr. Parker. "These projects will help create jobs, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, stabilize electricity prices and allow us to meet our 2015 and 2020 energy targets."

The amendments include:

• Confirming in regulation the renewable electricity target of 40 per cent by 2020
• Defining how much power, about 20 per cent, from the Lower Churchill project that Nova Scotia Power must use to meet the 2020 provincial renewable electricity target
• Providing for the possibility of Nova Scotia Power surpassing, rather than just meeting, its minimum renewable electricity target for 2013
• Balancing wind with other electricity resources to meet 2013 and 2015 renewable electricity targets while ensuring system reliability
• Reflecting government's announced cap on the use of forest biomass for electricity, and specifying that biomass can not be primary forest products and used first as fuel
• Improving the definition of First Nations eligibility
• Setting a minimum of Nova Scotia capital invested.

A copy of the proposed amendments and a guide providing a description of the policy rationale and how the amendments are intended to work can be found at www.gov.ns.ca/energy/public-consultation/.

Comments will be accepted on or before July 27. Send comments in writing by mail or email to:

Renewable Electricity Regulations Regulatory and Strategic Policy Nova Scotia Department of Energy 5151 George St., Suite 400 P.O. Box 2664 Halifax, NS B3J 3P7

E-mail: renewableregs@gov.ns.ca

All submissions, including names of people making them, will be available on the Department of Energy website at http://www.gov.ns.ca/energy/