Younger: NDP Create New Power Monopoly

August 3, 2011

 

(Halifax, NS) Liberal energy critic Andrew Younger has sent a letter to Energy Minister Charlie Parker outlining problems arising from the new power monopoly created by the NDP.

 

“Nova Scotians are very familiar with the hardships created by Nova Scotia Power’s monopoly,” said Younger. “Now the NDP is legislating and investing in a renewable energy monopoly to the detriment of people in our province.”

 

Younger says it appears that changes to the government’s Community Feed-in Tariff (COMFIT) strategy benefit a Nova Scotia company in which the NDP government is heavily invested while disadvantaging another Nova Scotia company which Nova Scotians have invested in. 

 

“We believe that Seaforth makes an excellent product, no question,”
states Younger. “However, it’s a product that isn’t suitable in many Nova Scotia locations. Therefore, it is important to offer choice in turbines so areas with different wind regimes can utilize the appropriate sized infrastructure.”

 

Younger said he was troubled with the government’s decision because it puts $16 million in economic development and the money Nova Scotians invested in CEDIFs at risk.

 

“Our province is not in a position to forego $16 million dollars in green development,” said Younger. “The government’s decisions are costing our province’s economy and Nova Scotian investors dearly.”

 

Younger says the new regulations mean that many promising wind projects will not go forward.

 

“The government’s decisions mean that only developments in places where wind conditions rise to 11 metres per second will go forward,”
said Younger. “There are many viable projects around the province where the wind only reaches six metres per second - these projects will stall under the new regulations.”

 

Younger also notes it’s odd that since the announced changes, many of the government’s controversial policies around turbine specification have been removed from the department’s website.

 

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August 2, 2011

 

The Honourable Charlie Parker
Minister of Energy
Bank of Montreal Building
5151 George Street
Suite 400
Halifax NS B3J 3P7

Dear Minister Parker,

 

Government's strategy for Community Feed-in Tariffs (COMFITs) is a laudable project. While we have expressed concerned over some of the implementation (such as lack of solar and geothermal inclusion, and concerns about funding and biomass) the Nova Scotia Liberal Caucus has been generally supportive of this initiative from the beginning.

You will recall that in our submission to the energy plan we indicated that COMFITs can be a useful and effective way to increase the availability of small green energy sources. They can also drive economic development in our region. The original plan outlines an "orderly transition to new, local, renewable energy sources" with a target of 25% by 2015 and a goal of 40% by 2020. Our caucus hopes that Community Feed-in Tariffs will be an important element of renewable energy in the future and will be part of shaping power consumption for communities In our province.

However, the caucus and I are deeply troubled by your decision with respect to turbines under 50kW to only allow turbine blades of 200 feet or less swept area. We believe this is a problematic decision, not based on the facts of Nova Scotia's wind regime, that negatively impacts communities, the investments of Nova Scotians in CEDIFs and one which will have serious repercussions on companies involved in renewable energy projects in Nova Scotia.

 

You were quoted as saying today, on the radio, that companies can choose from any turbine with a wind swept area of under 200 feet that is on the New York list of turbines. However, you should know that there is only one turbine which meets these criteria. That is the Seaforth turbine.

 

While this is a very good turbine, data indicates it operates in conditions of wind at 11 metres per second. This is not suitable in many Nova Scotia locations. Therefore, it is important to offer choice in turbines so areas with wind levels which meet these conditions can utilize this turbine, but also that areas with different regimes can utilize other small turbines.

For example, you are no doubt aware that 40 locations for community wind projects which are fully funded through community investments in CEDIFs and other investments are in areas with wind regimes of 6 metres per second. This is unsuitable for the only turbine you have approved but is suitable for the Canadian made, and CSA approved, Endurance turbine which was planned to be installed.

 

Your decision means than $16 million in investment by Nova Scotians and their
communities will now not enter the economy. It means these areas will not be able to benefit from green energy development as the only turbine on your list is unsuitable for these locations.

It means those who have invested in the CEDIFs for retirement and other means will not see a return on their investment. They will not see a return because your government has changed the expectations of the community in terms of how they would be dealt with. This creates future uncertainty in the market which is bad for green energy development and bad for the economy.

Frankly, it appears as though your government has limited the approved list to one turbine solely because it has provided government funding to the manufacturer from the Productivity Investment Program (PIP). This is deeply troubling as it pits a number of highly respectable and important Nova Scotia companies against one another. This is especially of concern as the government decision is in direct conflict with the guidelines of the Canadian Wind Energy Association - guidelines designed for use in Canada.

I recognize that you may not have been privy to all the facts when this decision was made. In light of this, I encourage you to immediately change your decision and allow variety in the turbines which will be permitted for use for under 50kW wind in Nova Scotia. Not to do so will result in less wind energy being developed in Nova Scotia, will hurt Nova Scotia companies, and will hurt the many Nova Scotians who have invested their savings in CEDIFs understanding they were investing their retirement and other savings in projects supporting their communities and
supported by the Nova Scotia government

Andrew Younger MLA
Energy Critic

NS Liberal Caucus