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 […]
Nova Scotia’s offshore renewable energy sector should benefit from new legislation designed to fast-track developments and to create opportunities for smaller scale, innovative technologies. The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act (Nova Scotia) and the Marine Renewable Energy Act (Nova Scotia) are being amended to streamline regulatory processes in the expectation that faster […]
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 […]
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 […]
Nova Scotia has a new Biodiversity Act (the “Act”) that will give the Minister of Lands and Forestry (the “Minister”) the power to, among other things, create Biodiversity Management Zones (a “BMZ”) for the purpose of the conservation or sustainable use of specified biodiversity values. The Act, originally introduced in 2019, is perhaps more notable for the […]
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 […]