N.S. seeks feedback on biomass regulations

"As more bark and
forestry byproducts are being used as renewable wood energy sources, we need to
account for all of the new ways we use wood and wood byproducts in order to
maintain a sustainable wood supply," said Charlie Parker, Natural
Resources Minister. "These proposed regulations would require some of
those new users to plan and report on their consumption."

Under the proposed
regulations, organizations that burn wood or wood byproducts to generate 250
kilowatts or more of heat or electricity would need to register with the
province. Reporting requirements for those using less than 1,000 cubic metres
would be less stringent than for larger users.

To further simplify
reporting requirements, those who have multiple businesses using biomass can
submit one annual wood-purchasing plan that covers all of the businesses.

Biomass users that consume
more than 5,000 cubic metres would have to provide the province with an annual
wood purchase plan and contribute to silviculture programs needed to keep the
woodlands sustainable.

Biomass used to heat homes,
regardless of whether they are private or publicly owned, owner-occupied or
rentals, single- or multi-family homes, would be exempt from the proposed
reporting and silviculture requirements.

"Having the best
information on where wood fibre is flowing within the province allows industry
and government to continue the sustainable supply of fibre we currently have,"
said Jeff Bishop, executive director of the Forest Products Association of Nova
Scotia. "With biomass playing an increasing role in our renewable energy
mix, it's important those energy producers also understand the role they play
in the big picture of wood fibre use across the province."

On July 18, the province
delivered on its commitment to ban whole and full-tree harvesting to keep Nova
Scotia's forests sustainable. The move had the support of a broad spectrum of
stakeholders including the Ecology Action Centre and the Canadian Parks and
Wilderness Society.

The proposed biomass
regulations would not go into effect until Jan. 1, so that fibre users have
time to prepare. Biomass users would need to register with the province this
year and report on their 2013 wood use by the end of February.

A discussion paper and
instructions on how to respond to it are posted at novascotia.ca/natr.