N.S. can meet renewable energy targets: report

Nova Scotia can meet a goalto double its use of renewable energy by 2015, using existing technology and with minimal impact on electricity rates, according to a report presented Tuesday in Halifax.

The report was prepared by University of Moncton Prof. Yves Gagnon and presented at a meeting of industry stakeholders at Dalhousie University.

"The scenarios that I've recommended are all realistic scenarios because technology is available for all of these scenarios, available right now, here in Nova Scotia," Gagnon told CBC News.

"It is also economically viable."

Nova Scotia has set a goal of having 25 per cent of the province's electricity generated through renewable forms of energy by 2015. At the moment, the province is heavily dependent on burning coal, a fossil fuelwidely considered bad for the environment.

In his report, Gagnon said the renewable energy target can be achieved under four scenarios, which can be roughly be divided into a large-scale fix and a smaller-scale fix.

One solution he proposed is a series of 10 massive wind farms with up to 40 turbines each. The other solution involves smaller wind farms at more locations and the use of biomass fuel, where typically wood is burned to generate electricity.

With the second solution "you generate a lot of economic development in many small, and many rural, areas of the province," said Gagnon.

Reporting on options

The professor's research was conducted for David Wheeler,dean of the faculty of management at Dalhousie University. Wheeler has been tasked by Nova Scotia's NDP government to consult with industry members and report on ways the province can meet its renewable energy targets.

"It is a significant challenge," Wheeler said. "It means the province has to be very well organized in terms of public policy-making, but also in terms of the available engineering skills, the financing.

"I think there is an emerging consensus. It's been very neatly encapsulated in Prof. Gagnon's paper."

Wheeler added that Gagnon's solutions seemed sensible and pragmatic.

Not everyone agrees with the proposal to use more biomass to generate electricity.

Jamie Simpson of the Ecology Action Centre a Halifax-based environmental group said Nova Scotia doesn't have regulationsthat would stop large-scaledeforestation.

"On Friday, I actually toured a biomass harvest site near Upper Musquodoboit," said Simpson. "I was amazed. It was the worst harvesting I've seen in my career as a forester."

Environmental concerns

He said this type of harvesting would affect wildlife, water quality and the amount of carbon normally stored in the forest.

Over the next six weeks, Wheeler will carry out more consultations with the public. He willreport back to the Dexter government in the new year, with the goal to incorporate renewable energy into the electricity grids.

Gagnon said that, compared withwhat is happening in New Brunswick with the proposed sale of NB Power to Hydro-Qubec, what is happening in Nova Scotia is "fantastic."

"The value in the energy sector is with renewable energy generation plants," he said. "What this means is that Nova Scotia will be able to, in time,fade out fossil fuel plants.

"Within the internal market of electricity in Nova Scotia, the exercise is fundamental."