On Sept. 16, 2024, the Nova Scotia government, the Government of Canada and Nova Scotia Power (NSP) reached a common understanding with regard to the federal government’s Clean Electricity Regulations (CER). The Ecology Action Centre (EAC) applauds both governments for reaching a consensus on amendments to the CER. The EAC also commends NSP for its strong support of the CER and for its continued collaboration in achieving this shared vision.
This announcement reflects a growing bi-partisan consensus about the need to accelerate efforts to phase out coal and increase renewable energy generation on Nova Scotia’s gird through a combination of federal and provincial regulation. The EAC strongly supports efforts by all governments and electricity providers to work together to move Canada closer to achieving a net-zero future, while ensuring that energy remains both affordable and reliable for all Canadians.
The importance of the CER
The Clean Electricity Regulations are part of the federal government’s overall strategy to fight climate change by regulating electricity generation in Canada. The regulations will incentivize utilities which currently rely on coal and other fossil fuel-based electricity generation to transition to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar power and grid-scale battery storage. The regulations also set strict limits on emissions from fossil fuel power plants, such as those powered by gas and Heavy Fuel Oil.
These regulations are consistent with Nova Scotia’s 2030 Clean Power Plan and legislative targets requiring that coal be phased out of electricity supply by 2030. While targets represent an important step in terms of setting policy direction, federal regulations such as the CER introduce additional penalties for non-compliance, helping to ensure that public concern about climate change is not ignored by energy producers and suppliers who continue to profit from fossil fuel extraction and greenhouse gas (GHG) intensive electricity generation.
Combatting false advertising by Electricity Canada and government of Alberta regarding affordability and reliability under the CER
The government of Alberta recently ran an ad campaign aimed at Atlantic Canadians which made unsupported claims about the cost and reliability of renewable power. In an op-ed published in the Calgary Herald, the EAC joined with the Nova Scotia Affordable Energy Coalition to call on the Alberta government to “stop spreading false information with taxpayer-funded ads and constructively join the conversation.”
We are pleased that the government of Nova Scotia, in contrast, appears to be interested in constructive collaboration with the federal government in reaching a common understanding on the CER.
An ad campaign by Electricity Canada, the industry association that represents utilities across Canada, has since made similar claims to those made by the government of Alberta, which have no basis in fact. The Ecology Action Centre applauds statements made by Peter Gregg, the CEO of Nova Scotia Power and the chair of the board of directors of Electricity Canada, who said during a media availability on Sept. 16 organized by Natural Resources Canada that “by reaching a common understanding on the regulations, the province and Nova Scotia Power will have the flexibility we need to meet the legislative targets while ensuring reliable power is there for our customers when they need it.”
Increasing sustainability, affordability and reliability on Nova Scotia’s power grid
A recent report published by the Canada Electricity Advisory Council (CEAC) outlined the potential benefits of the renewable electricity transition with regard to affordability, reliability and sustainability across Canada. The EAC echoes the recommendations of the CEAC for the Government of Canada to finalize the federal Clean Electricity Regulations as soon as possible. Constructive collaboration between all government and utilities on these regulations represents a rejection of efforts by cynical actors to politicize the fight against climate change and instead is a shared commitment to deliver an affordable and sustainable future for Nova Scotians.