NS proposes changes to renewable power regs

June 28, 2011 – The province of Nova Scotia
has released the proposed amendments to the renewable electricity regulations
for a 30-day public comment period. The regulations, enacted in October 2010,
were developed following a comprehensive consultation process. At that time,
government indicated that amendments would be required as additional decisions
were made.

The amendments include:

• Confirming, in regulation, the renewable electricity target of 40% by 2020;
• Defining that Nova Scotia Power must use about 20% of power from the Lower
  Churchill project to meet the 2020 provincial renewable electricity target;
• Providing for the possibility of Nova Scotia Power surpassing its minimum
  renewable electricity target for 2013;
• Balancing wind with other electricity resources to meet 2013 and 2015 renewable
  electricity targets while ensuring system reliability;
• Reflecting government's announced cap on the use of forest biomass for
  electricity, and specifying that biomass can not be primary forest products
  used first as fuel;
• Improving the definition of First Nations eligibility; and
• Setting a minimum of Nova Scotia capital invested.

A copy of the proposed amendments and a guide providing a description of the
policy rationale and how the amendments are intended to work can be found at
www.gov.ns.ca/energy/public-consultation/.

Comments will be accepted on or before July
27, 2011. Send comments in writing by mail or email to:
Renewable Electricity Regulations
Regulatory and Strategic Policy
Nova Scotia Department of Energy
5151 George St., Suite 400
P.O. Box 2664
Halifax, NS B3J 3P7
E-mail: renewableregs@gov.ns.ca

All submissions, including names of people making them, will be available on
the Department of Energy website at www.gov.ns.ca/energy.