Written by Mohammad Ali Raza, Michael M. Gallagher and Miguel deMello. The passage of Bill C-49 and amendments to Nova Scotia’s Accord Acts signal a significant opportunity for offshore wind energy investment in the province. As Nova Scotia strives to establish itself as a global leader in offshore wind, understanding how artificial intelligence (AI) can optimize operations […]
The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador have announced the most significant amendments to the Atlantic Accord legislation since 1987, introducing new regulatory powers over offshore renewable projects and changing elements of the regulation of offshore petroleum interests, that may have long term implications for the industry. Bill C-49 In late May, Canada announced […]
The changes are intended to bring greater clarity to the permitting process and to provide timeframes for approval and notification. Amendments include: greater clarity to language in the Act’s licensing system, clarifying the timelines and processes for incompleteness rejection, approval, and denial of demonstration permits and outlining the Act’s regulatory-making authority to improve administration.
Canada has the world’s longest coastline but, compared to other countries, most notably Norway, our ocean economy — $31.7 billion annually in gross domestic product and almost 300,000 jobs – is relatively under-developed. The federal government wants to change that. The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans is developing a “blue economy” strategy intended to […]
Nova Scotia’s Sustainable Development Goals Act (the “SDGA”), passed in 2019, sets out the province’s renewable energy (“RE”) targets, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by at least 53% below 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. And, following on the federal government commitment to source 100% renewable electricity for federal […]
A piece of United States federal legislation may provide Nova Scotia’s ports with inadvertent economic benefits. The Jones Act is a piece of protectionist legislation that was enacted by the United States Congress following the First World War. Its purpose is to stimulate the shipping industry in the United States, protect American jobs, and to […]
Canada’s ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 will require speedy expansion of our renewable energy resources, including offshore wind. But, if we’re going to get there, we’ll need to improve our regulatory regimes. Fortunately, we have allies from whom we can learn and a regional regulatory precedent that could be helpful. Canada’s current regime […]
Long thought to be unreliable due to inconsistent output, renewable wind energy is now primed for growth in Atlantic Canada and Nova Scotia could play a leading role. Advancements in energy storage, load smoothing/shaping, and electrical grid capacity have lessened concerns over energy shortfalls and grid overload stemming from discrete weather events. The result is […]
Federal legislation designed to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 will be felt strongly in Nova Scotia. In the event the Bill is passed (it is currently in its second reading) it will further impact Nova Scotian emitters already subject to strict emission, monitoring and reporting standards. The proposed new legislation should surprise nobody. […]
In October 2017, Nova Scotia amended the Environment Act (Nova Scotia) allowing the province to implement a cap and trade program. With the program’s regulations now coming into effect, the impact of this program will be felt intensely within the Nova Scotia business community and in particular the energy sector. Companies must now report their greenhouse gas […]