Government of Canada Invests in Nova Scotia's Renewable Energy Projects

NEW GLASGOW, NOVA SCOTIA,Canada, Jan 21, 2011 —The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, today announced three new investments worth $43 million that support renewable and clean energy projects across Nova Scotia. This is part of the Government’s action to improve economic and environmental performance, and support high-quality jobs.

The funding benefits Northern Pulp Nova Scotia Corporation’s pulp mill in New Glasgow, as well as Nova Scotia Power and the Point Tupper Wind Farm, operated by Renewable Energy Services Limited.

“This investment in clean energy technologies stimulates the growth of our domestic clean energy industry, creates high-quality jobs for Nova Scotians and helps to protect and preserve our environment,” said Minister MacKay. “I’m proud to be a part of a government that continues to make smart investments in clean energy.”

Northern Pulp will receive $28.1 million from the federal Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program for three projects that will help the mill reduce odour emissions, increase renewable energy production and improve environmental performance.

As part of the Clean Energy Fund, Nova Scotia Power will receive $8.2 million to support the development of a biomass co-firing project. This project consists of generating clean, renewable electricity from waste wood to displace 10 percent of the coal currently used in the Nova Scotia power plant in Trenton.

An additional investment of about $6.75 million over ten years through the ecoENERGY for Renewable Power program will support the Point Tupper Wind Farm in Port Hawkesbury. The wind farm consists of 11 turbines for a total capacity of 22 megawatts of emissions-free electricity.

Since 2006, the Government of Canada has invested more than $10 billion to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a more sustainable environment through investments in green infrastructure, energy efficiency, clean energy technologies and the production of cleaner energy and cleaner fuels.

The Government has developed a broad suite of policies and programs to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 — a target aligned with the United States.

“Moving forward aggressively with investments in clean energy technologies will help us reach our target and balance our need for energy with our need to protect the environment,” said Minister MacKay.

Today’s announcement builds on the success of many initiatives that are helping to sustain and enhance Canada’s clean energy industry. For example, Budget 2010: Leading the Way on Jobs and Growth announced an expansion of the eligibility for the accelerated capital cost allowance for equipment that generates or conserves energy by using renewable sources or fuels from waste, or by using fossil fuel efficiently.