Eastern Canada Climate and Energy

Background

A key component of ENE's mission is to address environmental issues in the bioregional context of the Northeast and Eastern Canada, recognizing that the two regions share a common air...
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As parallel reforms are taking place in the New England states, Eastern Canada is also involved in setting an energy policy agenda and identifying solutions that can be implemented at the provincial and regional level. Current issues and initiatives include:

• Establishing well-funded efficiency programs
• Expanding demand-side resources
• Siting and developing clean energy sources
• Transmission, infrastructure and energy imports/exports
• Establishing carbon regulations for large final emitters

These solutions are advancing at the regional and provincial levels. The New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers have formed working groups and conducted workshops to develop a strategy for reducing emissions in the energy sector. Advocates and officials are conducting formal and informal discussions amongst potential cross-border energy trade partners, including Maine, New Brunswick and Quebec regarding cap and trade programs, transmission and infrastructure issues. Individual provinces are exploring possibilities for increasing investments in efficiency and CHP.

The provinces are taking action to map out steps toward a more sustainable energy and climate system. Government of Prince Edward Island released its energy strategy as well as a climate change action plan. The goals, principles, and commitments outlined in the strategies will form the foundation of future energy and climate policy and program development on PEI. The energy strategy commits to establish a planning process prioritizing cost-effective electric energy, establishes an Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee, adopts energy saving building and appliance standards. Nova Scotia also recently adopted climate and energy strategy.

Advocates such as the Atlantic Canada Sustainable Energy Coalition, ENE and others are working to advance clean and demand-side energy resources and to encourage region-wide coordination. Developing consistent strategies amongst the states and provinces will help ensure that energy reform policies deliver maximum environmental and economic benefits.

Regional coordination on climate and energy policies is important. ENE Executive Director Dan Sosland was invited to speak at the 33rd Conference of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers held in Saint John, New Brunswick in September. Sosland's topic was "Regional Approach to Using Energy More Efficiently and Demand-Side Energy Management." His presentation focused on regional objectives in the area of energy efficiency and increased development of low-emission resources, as well as opportunities to create and expand demand-side management programs, weatherization, efficient buildings, SmartGrid technology and other solutions for reducing dependence on expensive and polluting fossil fuels.

ENE was also invitedto Ottawa to testify before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Developmen Committee as an expert witness on U.S. regional and federal climate and energy policy.  The following are the opening remarks and policy brief presented by ENE. See ENE Intro Statement and Policy Brief for the Ottawa Hearing, or Watch Video of the Hearing.