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Tip: Your message to SUST-MAR must be html-free. So, BEFORE you hit SEND, please go to your "Format" pull-down menu and select "Plain text." Thanks! ____________________________________________________________________________ On Thursday, April 22nd, the Nova Scotia government presented their 2004-2005 budget. During all the commotion, the NDP Environment critic asked Environment Minister Kerry Morash some questions about a proposed electrical generation project slated for Tuft's Cove in Dartmouth. It seems that Nova Scotia Power is avoiding a full Class 2 environmental assessment for the project, even though the EA regulations say a Class 2 is required for any such project greater than 10-megawatts. This project is just under 50 megawatts. For all you math-types out there, that's 5 times larger than the regulatory trigger for a full Class 2 assessment. Here's how it went down ... ************ Speaker: Honourable Murray Scott Published by Order of the Legislature by Hansard Reporting Services and printed by the Queen's Printer. Available on INTERNET at http://www.gov.ns.ca/legislature/HOUSE_BUSINESS/hansard.html Annual subscriptions available from the Office of the Speaker. First Session THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2004 ENVIRON. & LBR. - N.S. POWER: TUFTS COVE PLANT - GENERATORS MS. JOAN MASSEY: Mr. Speaker, Nova Scotia Power has plans to add another generator to its Tufts Cove plant, but the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board has said that it's still not sure why Nova Scotia needs a new generator. The board wants to take a closer look at the January numbers and the 2005 forecast for utilization of electricity. My question to the Minister of Environment and Labour is, given the Kyoto and health implications, have you demanded a closer look at Nova Scotia Power's numbers? [Page 2508] <http://www.gov.ns.ca/legislature/hansard/han59-1/#I[Page 2508]> HON. KERRY MORASH: Mr. Speaker, certainly the Utility and Review Board has the ability to take a look at all numbers and all information, so that they can make an informed decision about what power needs and generation requirements are in Nova Scotia. MS. MASSEY: Mr. Speaker, the department's own regulations specify that a generator of this size must be reviewed more thoroughly. According to the regulations, a new facility that produces more than 10 megawatts must undergo a Class 2 environmental assessment, that means a public hearing. The generator in question will produce 50 megawatts, enough to power 10,000 households. An increase of this size is not an expansion, it's a new generation. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister of Environment and Labour is, why are you fast-tracking Nova Scotia Power in this project and allowing them to avoid a public hearing in front of an independent panel? MR. MORASH: Mr. Speaker, we're doing everything that needs to be done to ensure that this project is closely looked at and monitored and that things move forward in a reasonable manner. MS. MASSEY: Mr. Speaker, there hasn't been a Class 2 environmental assessment for anything in Nova Scotia for six years. There is also no environmental assessment board available ready to do such an assessment. A Class 2 environmental assessment is the best tool we have to protect our environment and the health of Nova Scotians. My question to the Minister of Environment and Labour is, it's your job to protect the Nova Scotia environment, will you follow through on your obligations and ensure a Class 2 environmental assessment is done? MR. MORASH: Mr. Speaker, we will protect the environment in the Province of Nova Scotia. That's my commitment, that's the commitment of this government. We will look at generating stations, we will look at additions and we will ensure that the province is protected. MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Richmond. ********** Please write to the Minister of Environment and Labour to ask him why NSPI is getting away with this. Phone 1: (902) 424-6647 Phone 2: (902) 424-2357 Fax: (902) 424-0575 Or e-mail his secretary. If we can get her on side, then he'll be sure to cave in. - reshlfx.baidenls@gov.ns.ca Thanks Howlan Mullally -- Howlan Mullally Energy Coordinator Ecology Action Centre energy@ecologyaction.ca www.ecologyaction.ca 31-1568 Argyle St. Halifax, NS Canada B3J 2B3 Phone - 902.442.0199 Main Office - 902.429.2202 Fax - 902.422.6410 ____________________________________________________________________________ Did a friend forward this to you? Join sust-mar yourself! Just send 'subscribe sust-mar' to mailto:majordomo@chebucto.ca
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