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. […]
Background Bill C-69 was passed by the Parliament of Canada in June 2019.[1] It was omnibus legislation, a package of both new legislation and amendments to existing legislation. One of the objectives of Bill C-69 was a complete overhaul of the environmental assessment of large resource projects in Canada. It was, and continues to be, a […]
On Monday 1 April 2019 the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced a deal described as an agreement to amend and update the Atlantic Accord. The 2019 Agreement The original Atlantic Accord, agreed between Canada and the Province in 1985, was a comprehensive document which established the joint management system […]
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 […]
In an announcement last week, the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (“CNSOPB”) has issued Call for Bids NS16-1 for Exploration Licences consisting of six (6) parcels of the coast of Nova Scotia.
On May 12th, BP Canada (“BP”) held an information session for potential suppliers in connection with its ongoing offshore exploration program. BP is currently processing seismic data collected over the previous year and is still targeting 2017 to begin exploratory drilling. BP has awarded the contract for an Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) to Stantec and the EIA is currently underway.