Premier, environmental group cautiously optimistic about panel’s biomass recommendations
Posted May 8, 2010 07:52:07 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Nova Scotia’s two current major biomass plans should continue, but beyond that the province needs to slow its approach.
Those were the major recommendations of an independent panel on the renewable energy source.
Now the premier and the Ecology Action Centre are both giving the plan a cautious thumbs up.
The panel concluded Nova Scotia’s forests can’t provide all the fuel we need to keep the lights on in the province.
They also recommended biomass deals with Nova Scotia Power and Newpage should be allowed to continue but they want to see smaller projects in the future.
That sounds good to Jamie Simpson with the Ecology Action Centre.
“Calling for caution for the way we approach forest biomass energy is very sensible,” said Simpson.
The premier wants 40 percent of the province’s energy to be renewable by 2020.
He says biomass is only one part of his plan for green power.
“It’s part of a portfolio, it is not the answer,” said Dexter. “It needs to be dealt with in the context of the other things that you’re doing in order to hit your renewable targets.”
The panel also recommends permits be required for clear cutting and an end to whole tree harvesting.
