Environment and Energy- Tough Choices, Decisions

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Tough choices and difficult tradeoffs
Commentary: Environmental Gremlin
Article online since November 25th 2009, 19:51

Tough choices and difficult tradeoffs
Commentary: Environmental Gremlin
By Stephen Hawboldt

Over the next few years, Nova Scotians will be required to make some tough decisions on energy. The Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act, unanimously endorsed in the Legislative Assembly in April 2007, sets very aggressive environmental preformance targets for the province.

With respect to climate change, greenhouse gas emissions must be 10 per cent below 1990 levels in only 11 years in 2020. Air quality targets require that nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and mercury emissions must be drastically reduced in a similar time frame. To learn more about the Act and progress in achieving the goals, visit: secondnature.gov.ns.ca

Obviously achieving these goals means, among other things, a sharp reduction in use of coal to generate the electricity we require. The Act stipulates that 18.5 per cent of the energy generated in the province will come from renewable sources by 2013.

Reports indicate that Nova Scotia Power is on track to achieve these targets using hydro, wind, solar, tidal, and biomass. Over the next few years, Nova Scotians are going to need to make some very tough choices with difficult tradeoffs.

Jamie Simpson, a professional forester associated Ecology Action Centre, recently toured a biomass harvest site in Upper Musquodoboit. The site is operated by Northern Pulp Nova Scotia Corp., Pictou County, a company certified by Sustainable Forest Initiative for its sustainable forestry methods.

In an e-mail alert, Simpson declares, “I have never seen such destructive forestry.” He added, “not only was the forest cover completely removed, but even the forest floor was destroyed over most of the harvest area.” The photographs accompanying the alert bear witness to the destruction.

If this is an example of biomass harvesting for electrical generation, these harvest sites are tomorrow’s deserts. The sites are virtual wastelands devoid of anything that could support any life for many decades.

Tidal power is also surrounded by some very serious scientific questions. Dr. Mike Dadswell, an eminent marine biologists associated with Acadia University, is one of several prominent researchers who are concerned about the impact of the ocean floor turbines on fish stocks. They fear wholesale destruction of these resources.

Wind energy also faces very serious questions about noise, public health, and impacts on wildlife. A small wind turbine proposed for Sable Island to meet power needs on the island could not go forward because of its potential impact on wildlife.

Large scale solar is largely untested in the Maritimes. There is very little, if any, traditional hydro available in the province. Nuclear generation has very serious questions arising from the radioactive wastes created and public health questions.

Energy conservation presents some real opportunities that will be rewarded with significant economic gains. These savings are not enough to reach the required targets.

The targets are conservative if the threats of climate change are to be managed. If anything, the reduction targets for greenhouse gases will likely have to be increased.

Over the next three to five years, the energy future of Nova Scotia will need to be decided. Citizens will face some very tough questions and difficult tradeoffs.

STEPHEN HAWBOLDT is with Clean Annapolis River Project and writes a weekly column for The Annapolis County Spectator. Comments are always welcome and can be addressed to stephenhawboldt@annapolisriver.ca