Minister Supports Energy Initiatives, Hybrid Transit, Research

Public transit is about to get more environmentally friendly in Halifax with support from the province to buy hybrid buses.

Energy Minister Bill Dooks made the announcement today, March 27, along with funding for university research in petroleum financial management. Mr Dooks also announced a development application from an onshore explorer as Stealth Ventures moves ahead with commercial testing on its coal-bed methane discovery in Cumberland County.

"Our $600,000 funding commitment from Conserve Nova Scotia will assist Halifax Regional Municipality and Metro Transit in the purchase of two hybrid electric-diesel buses," said Mr. Dooks in a Halifax Chamber of Commerce speech. Mr. Dooks is minister responsible for Conserve Nova Scotia.

"This is a move that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide cleaner air for Nova Scotians."

The plan to add new green buses to the fleet is expected to be before municipal council today. The hybrid buses could be in service within two years. These buses use 25 per cent to 30 per cent less fuel and cut greenhouse gas emissions by about 30 per cent compared to diesel buses.

In addition, Mr. Dooks said he is announcing the creation of a university chair in petroleum financial management. The endowment of $750,000 over five years is being made by Pengrowth and the government of Nova Scotia. The university location of the chair will be announced at a later date.

"This department has been active in supporting focused research on the oil and gas potential of our onshore and offshore," said Mr. Dooks. "To date, that research has focused on geoscience and engineering issues. At the end of the day, investing in Nova Scotia's resource potential is a business decision, based on sound science and solid business fundamentals, and this endowment will help develop the required business expertise here in Nova Scotia."

Stealth Ventures, which has spent more than $10 million in our region in the exploration stage, has submitted a development plan. This plan moves the project closer to commercial production of coalbed methane in onshore Nova Scotia.

Stealth has estimated the potential scope of this project at more than one trillion cubic feet.