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Nova Scotia moving to establish legal foundation for province’s Renewable Electricity Plan

Nova Scotia Energy Minister Bill Estabrooks introduced amendments on May 5 to the Electricity Act that will help Nova Scotians access clean, secure and locally-produced energy at stable prices, says the government.

“These changes will move our Renewable Electricity Plan from a strategy into a reality,” said Estabrooks. “For Nova Scotians it will mean good jobs and a cleaner environment. These changes also help bring price stability to our electricity market over the long run.”

The amendments provide for:

* the appointment of a renewable electricity administrator to oversee contracts for energy purchases by independent power producers

* establishment of a feed-in tariff or fixed price for community and development tidal array projects

* and an enhanced net metering policy that credits consumers for the renewable energy they produce, with a requirement for Nova Scotia Power to file its plan by Nov. 1.

Estabrooks said the province is going to supply 25% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2015. Draft regulations are expected to be released this summer to support these legislative amendments.

The province's Renewable Electricity Plan, as well as the legislative amendments, is available at www.gov.ns.ca/energy.

May 6, 2010  By Nova Scotia