Statement on Report from Clean Electricity Solutions Task Force
Wind turbines in Nova Scotia (Communications Nova Scotia / File)
NOTE: The following is a statement from Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables, in response to the final report from the Clean Electricity Solutions Task Force.
We want Nova Scotia ratepayers to have clean, reliable and affordable electricity. And we know changes are needed to our electricity system to do that.
That’s why we formed the Clean Electricity Solutions Task Force in April 2023. We asked the task force to give us recommendations to help modernize our electricity system and make sure it has the capacity we need to reach our climate change goals.
The task force submitted its report on January 31. We appreciate the expert advice from the task force members – Alison Scott and John MacIsaac – and we thank everyone who participated in their consultations.
We have started reviewing the report and its many recommendations for significant change in our electricity system.
I can confirm that the government accepts the recommendation for a new Energy Modernization Act which I plan to table in the upcoming session of the legislature. Among other things, this legislation will create an independent energy system operator and a standalone energy regulator. It also ties our climate change goals to the regulation of this sector.
As these changes move forward, we are conscious that some jobs will need to shift, but there will be no job losses. The implementation plan will respect collective agreements and protect pensions.
I can also confirm that we support the independent energy system operator overseeing open competition for new generation and storage infrastructure. However, at this time, we will not consider extending that responsibility to transmission and distribution.
We are conscious that some of the recommendations could be significant for the energy sector. Recommendations 2 to 12 will require more consideration, analysis and conversations with affected parties. We plan to take a measured approach as we consider the best way to proceed.
I know the task force had lengthy and fruitful discussions with Nova Scotia Power and the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board. I want to thank these organizations for their co-operation. I look forward to our continued work together to transform our electricity system for the benefit of all Nova Scotia ratepayers.
Additional Resources:
The task force report is available at: https://cetaskforce.ca/
News release – Seeking Solutions for Clean Electricity: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2023/04/20/seeking-solutions-clean-electricity