People & Places
Super Nova
Sterling Belliveau, the environment minister for Nova Scotia, Canada, answers Emigrate's questions about the province's green vision and quality of life
The Bay of Fundy tidal energy project has recently been revealed. What are the potential pros and cons for residents of Nova Scotia?
The Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE) proposes to construct, operate and then decommission a tidal energy demonstration facility in the Minas Passage, near Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. The objectives of the demonstration facility are to test the commercial potential of in-stream tidal energy devices, obtain information necessary to assess the performance of tidal energy devices including their effects on the environment and the effect of the environment on the devices, and develop monitoring techniques and methodologies for these devices in the tidal environment. The proposed facility will consist of three sub-sea turbine generators, individual sub-sea cables connecting the turbines to land-based infrastructure, an onshore transformer substation, and buried power lines connecting to the local power distribution system.
Potential pros of the project include the fact that it is a demonstration project to determine impacts before going to full-scale operation. It is an innovative approach to cleaner energy and it is in line with the goals set out in the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act (EGSPA). Potential cons of the project are any potential environmental impacts; however, they will be closely monitored and controlled during the demonstration phase. Indeed, the intent of the tidal demo project is to examine what the pro/cons might be: how much energy can be produced, and what, if any, the impact may be on the environment.
To further describe the pilot project, the three initial candidates for the Fundy tidal project are:
- Nova Scotia Power Inc., partnered with OpenHydro;
- Minas Basin Pulp and Power, partnered with Marine Current Turbines; and
- Clean Current Turbines, partnered with ALSTOM.
The proposed site for all three turbines is in the Minas Passage area of the Bay of Fundy, about ten kilometres west of Parrsboro. Research identifies the Bay of Fundy as potentially the best site for tidal power generation in North America, with a world-class resource in close proximity to an existing grid and potential consumers.
Nova Scotia has a target of at least 25 per cent renewable electricity supply by 2015. Tidal energy has the potential to help meet that target.
What is the current energy production mix of Nova Scotia? How would you like to see this change, and how soon could such changes happen?
75 per cent coal/petcoke
12 per cent oil/gas
12 per cent renewable
Nova Scotia has a target of at least 25 per cent renewable electricity supply by 2015. There are also legislated minimums along the way - minimum 13.5 per cent by 2010, minimum 18.5 per cent by 2013, or utility companies face penalties.
Could Nova Scotia meet its entire energy needs sustainably?
Practically speaking, no. Any region could theoretically; the question is whether electricity customers could afford/would be willing to pay for the transmission upgrades required (potentially massively expensive). There are also technical limitations to how much intermittent power you can introduce to a system without running into stability/reliability issues.
How well does Nova Scotia fare in comparison with other Canadian provinces / territories: is it one of the 'greener' provinces?
We have some of the country's most aggressive renewable regulations, and Canada's only legislated greenhouse gas emissions caps. We are building North America's first tidal current technology centre. Nova Scotia also is a recognised leader in recycling and composting and draws attention from across Canada and countries around the world who visit to learn more about the way we process solid waste resources.
The province's goal is to have one of the cleanest, most economically sustainable environments in the world by 2020. That being said, the province is not without its environmental challenges. For example, Nova Scotia is heavily reliant on fossil fuels for our energy. We have some of the highest greenhouse gas emissions per capita. Most of these emissions are from our electricity sector, which generates electricity primarily using coal.
The good news is that government has taken aggressive action over the last three years to make our environment cleaner and greener, while at the same time making our economy more prosperous and competitive. In June 2007 the EGSPA was passed in the Nova Scotia Legislature with unanimous support. The Act is a very unique piece of legislation, and the first of its kind in Canada. It sets a long-term vision for the health of Nova Scotia's environment economy through two objectives: to have one of the cleanest and most sustainable environments in the world while improving our economic performance to a level at or above the Canadian average. With our environmental challenges and economic history as a 'have-not' province, these are lofty objectives. To meet our environmental goal, 21 aggressive, short-term, measurable targets are set. These targets cross a wide number of issues such as renewable energy, construction, drinking water, land protection, and greenhouse gas emissions to name a few. By 2020 we our greenhouse gas emissions will be approximately 25 per cent lower than they are today. We hope to make more significant reductions by 2050. To meet the economic objective, EGSPA is closely aligned with the province's economic growth strategy, Opportunities for Sustainable Prosperity, which contains the founding principles of EGSPA. Now into its third year of implementation, the Act is working. This has not been without challenges but progress is being made, and the momentum of EGSPA remains high. We are well on our way to meeting our goals.
Renewable energy projects tend to meet objections on the grounds that they compromise the environment (either actually or aesthetically) and may lead to short-term increases in costs for the consumer.
Is it ultimately a case of this generation having to accept such costs/impacts for the benefit of future generations?
Our research suggests majority of Nova Scotians want more green energy. It is hard to predict future market. The long-term trend for energy prices is up, and green supply may become cost competitive with traditional sources, even cheaper.
The imperative of winning elections no doubt influences some politicians to think in the short term, even when the most meaningful projects and intentions require long-term commitment. Renewable energy projects no doubt require such commitment, and patience from the electorate. Nova Scotia has never been considered a 'get rich quick' province, so does that mean the electorate is - generally speaking - prepared to see the bigger picture?
There is a definite shift in environmental thinking now occurring in Nova Scotia. In the past there has been a strong focus placed on economic prosperity at the expense of the environment. But times are changing. It is becoming increasingly clear to government and to all Nova Scotians that when we make decisions, we have to consider their full implications.
We do not see a contradiction between thinking long term and acting during the short term. Responding to today's challenges with an eye on the big picture, and adjusting the course accordingly to meet today's challenges in a way that will help fulfil future goals is a wise way to proceed. For example, your question mentions 'renewable energy': Nova Scotia's newly elected government has already made commitments to go beyond the province's Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act and has set new and more aggressive targets with regard to renewable energy goals, and to introduce legislation to further support clean energy.
- By 2015, 25 per cent of Nova Scotia's electricity will be supplied by renewable energy.
- We will release a comprehensive renewable energy strategy by 2010, providing clear direction on tidal, biomass, wind, solar, and geothermal opportunities.
- We will introduce legislation in 2010 that will promote the development, transmission, and use of clean energy sources, that will ensure Nova Scotia meets or exceeds provincial and national targets for 2020 and beyond.
- We will also investigate the full potential of the renewable energy that can be harnessed by the highest tides in the world, in the Bay of Fundy. Within 60 days of taking office, our government put in place the first hard caps on greenhouse gas emission and air pollutants for power generation facilities in Canada.
- By 2020, hard emission caps on the electricity sector will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent from current levels. We intend to ensure that Nova Scotia is no longer dependent on fossil fuels and we will work with other governments and international partners to develop strong and collaborative global actions on climate change.
- Our goal is to create one of the cleanest and greenest environments and most sustainable and thriving economies in the world by 2020.
Nova Scotia is believed to have a strong fishing community laid-back residents. How accurate is this portrayal?
Our working waterfronts are hubs of the economy in their communities. Along the coastline you will find quaint fishing villages, bustling towns and cities, like Halifax, Sydney or Yarmouth, and of course, hard-working, creative and knowledgeable people. The economic value of the fishery ranges between 900 million and 1.2 billion dollars. This includes the largest lobster fishery in Canada with an estimated $400 million exported annually. We have 320 aquaculture sites along our coast - all exist with environmental and economic sustainability in mind. As our economy evolves, so too do our waterfronts.
While there is new activity along our coast, we work hard to preserve our history as new businesses begin.
What are the strengths of Nova Scotia's environment?
Nova Scotia has been making great strides in environmental achievement in recent decades. Today's successes overshadow a less than positive past. Back in the 1970s, all over this province, there were hundreds of 'dumps' . Various and many resources were completely wasted, with little thought to recycling. And many of those dumps were open-burning sites, further polluting the air as well as the soil. Much has changed.
The hundreds of dumps are gone. Instead, today in Nova Scotia, we have just seven engineered landfill sites. That is news worth celebrating. All of our collective work is paying off. Far fewer resources are being wasted, and many more are being recycled. Was it easy? No. It took time. It took policy change and behaviour change. But the end result was worth it.
Nova Scotia has become an international leader in these efforts. Our waste management processes are soughtafter in other parts of Canada and abroad. Our solid waste management program is the reason why, today, we're all sorting our recyclables and most Nova Scotians enjoy curbside collection of organic waste. Thanks to the efforts of individuals and their governments, our disposal rate is almost 50 per cent below the national level, leaving the amount of material going to landfills almost cut in half.
And we are not stopping there. We are working toward a new disposal rate of no more then 300 kilograms per person per year by 2015. What this means is we are going to have to reduce our current rate of disposal by 30 per cent from our current rate of 430 kg/person/year.
Our province's environmental industries sector employs 5,000 people and is worth approximately $360 million to our economy. We are exporting our expertise about environmental regulation to countries that wish to improve their own. We are carrying out environmental impact assessments, pollution prevention assessments, and environmental monitoring in foreign markets. We are also exporting our environmental health and safety expertise. Our consultants are working in less developed countries to introduce and develop environmental capacity building. Their work is establishing environmental regimes there. That work, the work of our environmental companies, benefits us all. The work to protect the environment in one country also protects the air quality, water resources, and ecosystems in other nearby countries as well. From this success, we knew we could be world leaders in sustainability.
What makes Nova Scotia such a great place to live?
Nova Scotia is a beautiful, thriving province. Our cities, towns and villages are vibrant and safe, and neighbourliness is the norm. Our universities are among the top ranked in Canada; our businesses are innovative and export-focused; our people are smart and no matter where you are in Nova Scotia you're never more than 33 miles from the sea. Our province offers everything you need to have a successful life - a family life and a business life.
Is it a case of making a stark choice: exploit Nova Scotia's clean energy potential or keep its environment pristine?
We believe embracing cleaner energy alternatives will help make the environment cleaner. The two go hand in hand. Just as a cleaner environment is intricately linked with a more healthy economy. Becoming increasingly greener benefits our environment which helps make Nova Scotia an even more healthy and attractive place to live, work and invest. Business and industry also rely on clean, available elements of the environment to grow and to attract quality workers seeking a good work/lifestyle balance.
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