Energy Plan - Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

POLICY
ACTIONS
Capturing the Value of Our
Renewable Energy
The Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador will:
• Support and advance
initiatives to regulate and
limit GHG emissions in
a manner that promotes
renewable energy
development
• Ensure that the province
captures the incremental
value of our renewable energy
as a result of emissions
regulation.
Intensity based and Fixed Emissions Caps
In the long term, the province must set caps on the amount of emissions
allowed from various GHG emitting entities. Such caps will potentially have
both a positive environmental impact and a negative economic impact in some
sectors. The implementation of any such emissions caps must be approached
in a balanced manner, allowing the appropriate amount of time to properly
facilitate a prudent economic transition while ensuring the proper long–term
stewardship of our environment.
As we develop the Lower Churchill and other clean renewable energy projects,
the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Energy Corporation
will pay close attention to the development of GHG emission regulations and
trading in Canada and the United States. Furthermore, the Energy Corporation
will advocate its interests to ensure that it is positioned to capture the increase
in value that is attributable to the regulation of GHG emissions in the electricity
sector.
Land, Water and Wildlife
GHGs are a critical environmental challenge facing the global energy sector and
we must play our part in dealing with this challenge. It is also essential that we
preserve and protect our land, water and wildlife to the greatest extent possible
as our energy sector is developed. These resources are this province’s natural
legacy for future generations.
Development of our energy resources creates the potential for environmental
impact and has to be carefully managed. For example, oil and gas exploration
and production carry a risk of oil spills and introduce issues associated with
site restoration; hydroelectric project reservoirs flood land and can disrupt river
flows and fish habitats; wind farms are spread across considerable areas (even
though the land in between the wind turbines can be used for some activities);
and, electricity transmission lines and gas pipelines can interfere with wildlife
migrations. The new Sustainable Development Act will ensure renewable and
non-renewable resources are developed to maximize benefits for the province,
while protecting the natural environment so that future generations have the
ability to meet their own needs.
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In addition, energy exploration and development projects are subject to rigorous
environmental impact assessments under the provincial Environmental Assessment
Act and/or the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Such assessments
thoroughly examine the impacts energy activities might have on the environment
and ensure they are mitigated. These processes also provide for significant
opportunity for public input on the impact of these developments. The processes
are effective, but can take considerable time. The Provincial Government is working
with other jurisdictions through the Council of the Federation, the Council of Energy
Ministers and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment to improve the
timeliness and certainty of regulatory approval decision-making processes while
maintaining rigorous protection of the environment and public interest.