Following through with its Climate Change Action Plan, Nova Scotia has introduced regulated caps on Nova Scotia Power that will reduce emissions from the power generator by 25% over 2007 levels by 2020.

Emissions in 2007 were about 10 million tonnes (46% of Nova Scotia’s total GHG emissions) and under this regulation emissions must fall to 9.7 million tonnes by 2010, 8.8 million by 2015 and 7.5 million by 2020.

Since thermal coal power generation accounts for so much of the province’s emissions, setting decreasing caps on this sector is seen as a crucial step in adhering to Nova Scotia’s Environmental Goals and Sustainably Prosperity Act, which calls for emissions reductions of 10% over 1990 levels by 2020 (or about 20% from today’s levels). 

This goal is commensurate with Nova Scotia’s commitments as described under the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers Climate Change Action Plan of 2001. Nova Scotia is also an observer to the Western Climate Initiative, an international partnership dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from partner states and provinces.

By Jeff Beyer, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)