Forest Biomass for Renewable Energy in Nova ScotiaCritical UARB hearings begin |
| UPDATE (OCT. 14, 2010): UARB approves Nova Scotia Power/NewPage Port Hawkesbury Corp. Biomass Project, forecasted to consume 650,000 metric tonnes of biomass per year. Read UARB decision. Read EAC Comment |
| UPDATE July 30th, 2010: Regulators hit pause on biomass. The Chronicle Herald reported July 30th that "a regulatory hearing on Nova Scotia Power Inc.'s application to build a $208-million biomass energy project in Port Hawkesbury has been put on hold pending a review of other renewable energy projects." It was also noted it had been suggested that there wasn't adequate waste-wood supply to feed the system, which might result in increased clearcutting of Nova Scotia's forests" and that "the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax, Sierra Club Atlantic and the Margaree Environmental Association called on Premier Darrell Dexter and Energy Minister Bill Estabrooks to intervene during the hearing process to provide details about provincial forest biomass policy and project regulations." |
The Nova Scotia government is committed to meet 25% of its energy needs through renewable sources by 2015. The Wheeler Report (PDF) recommended that forest biomass be a significant component of the mix.
In April, NS Power and NewPage (the successor to Stora) announced they are seeking approval of a renewable co-generation project at Port Hawkesbury. See NSP Press release.
An earlier version of this proposal was rejected in 2009.
The N.S. Utility and Review Board is holding hearings on the current proposal beginning July 26, 2010. See Notice of Hearing (PDF document). These hearings are open to the public.
The deadline for written comments is Wednesday, July 14, 2010. (The deadlines for Intervenor Status and Evidence have passed (Intervenor status: April 28, 2010; Evidence: June 16, 2010).
The Final issues list (PDF) indicates aspects of this project that will be examined at the public hearings.
Ecology Action Centre and The Margaree Environmental Association are amongst the intervenors. (Intervenors may present evidence and crossexamine witnesses.) See Intervenor List (PDF).
Many of the relevant documents for this hearing are posted here: NSUARB: View Matter Details
This document raises a number of pertinent questions:
Margaree Environmental Association Intervener Questions (PDF)
These documents, entered as direct evidence, comment on a number of the concerns related to sustainability and carbon emissions:
- N15 Direct Evidence of Paul Chernick on behalf of The Consumer Advocate (PDF)
- N17 Direct Evidence of Ecology Action Centre (PDF)
- N-19 Direct Evidence of the Nova Scotia Woodlot Owners and Operators Association (PDF)
- The Port Hawkesbury Biomass Project (2010): Concerns related to carbon emissions and impacts of harvesting on soil nutrients & acidification
Comments submitted by D.G. Patriquin. - All letters of comment submited to UARB
Exhibit N-29 on UARB website
- Ecology Action Centre calls for moratorium on forest biomass for renewable electricity and related Documents from the EAC Wilderness Committee
- Restoring the Health of Nova Scotia's Forests (PDF)
DNR Forests Panel of Expertise Report by R. Bancroft, D. Crossland
- Forest biomass will not reduce carbon dioxide emissions
The debate in Massachusetts
- PATRICK-MURRAY ADMINISTRATION RELEASES BIOMASS SUSTAINABILITY STUDY (June 10, 2010)
- Biomass victory in Massachusetts (July 7, 2010)
- Manomet Study of Woody Biomass.
A recent study that examines the greenhouse gas implications of harvesting wood for energy in Massachusetts
- Silvicultural and ecological considerations of forest biomass harvesting in Massachusetts (PDF)
This 2008 document recommends harvesting for biomass only if "if partial harvests rather than clearcut harvests are used, leaving healthy, vigorous, residual stands that will continue to grow and sequester carbon at high rates after the harvest."
Page posted at versicolor.ca June 15, 2010
Last update: Oct. 14, 2010
