Minister Takes Energy Plan Tour for Lowest Fairest Rates to Sydney

Energy Minister Charlie Parker met with residents and business people in Sydney today, Feb. 27, as part of a provincial tour to discuss government's energy plan for the lowest, fairest electricity rates.

"From Bridgewater to Antigonish to Cape Breton, we have met with hundreds of Nova Scotians over the last week to talk about our plan for lower, more affordable electricity rates for families and businesses," said Mr. Parker. "Our plan can be summed up in five words: local, reliable, green, tax-free and efficient, and it is the lowest-cost option to meet our environmental requirements and getting off coal to end double-digit electricity rate increases."

The benefits of Nova Scotia's energy plan can be felt in communities across the province. In Cape Breton, the province is helping residents enjoy the benefits of local, clean renewable energy while creating jobs and local economic development opportunities.

Community Feed-in Tariff Projects (COMFIT) in Cape Breton include:

• Cape Breton University's 5.4-megawatt wind project in Sydney
• Celtic Current's 0.9-megawatt project in Grand Etang
• Scotia Wind's two 1.99-megawatt projects in Isle Madame and St. Rose
• Fundy Tidal's 0.5-megawatt tidal energy project in Bras D'Or Channel
• Port Hood and District Recreation Centre's two 50-kilowatt small wind projects in Cheticamp
• Celtic Current's 1.9-megawatt project in Point Aconi
• Wind4all's four-megawatt project near Boularderie Island
• Cape Breton Exploration's six-megawatt biomass project in Sydney
• Watts Wind Energy's 0.8-megawatt project in Lingan
• Wind4all four-megawatt project in Barrachois
• Lemoine's Development Society's 3.5-kilowatt research project near Cheticamp
• Fundy Tidal's 100-kilowatt project in the Barra Strait

"Every megawatt of energy produced through the COMFIT program results in $2 million to $3 million of economic activity in the local community, making these projects great local investments," said Mr. Parker. "These projects will help stabilize electricity prices in Nova Scotia, help the environment and create jobs across Cape Breton."

COMFIT provides municipalities, First Nations, co-operatives, not-for-profit and other eligible groups with an established price-per-kilowatt-hour for projects that produce electricity from renewable resources such as wind, biomass, in-stream tidal and river hydro developments. It is a made-in-Nova Scotia program that is helping to build a diverse, secure and sustainable and electricity supply.

"The COMFIT program proves that Nova Scotia can transition to cleaner energy and spur economic development," said Luciano Lisi, president of Cape Breton Explorations Ltd. "The perfect example is our approved combined heat and power biomass power plant to be built in Sydney.

"It will displace 50,000 tonnes a year of greenhouse gases and create 15 full-time jobs at the plant and 50 full-time jobs in the forestry sector."

Energy deputy minister Murray Coolican also provided information and an overview of the Muskrat Falls/Maritime Link project.

The project is an important part of the province's energy plan and is the lowest-cost option for meeting federal and environmental requirements. The project provides price stability for 35 years and gives Nova Scotia two connections to the North American grid, which improves reliability and promotes competition.