sust-mar: NS Power avoids full Environmental Assessment Regs.

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Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2004 15:54:21 -0300
From: Howlan Mullally <energy@ecologyaction.ca>
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____________________________________________________________________________
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


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