Marine Protected Area Survey- Please Do!

Marine Protected Area Survey Inbox
Erin Mutrie Wed, Jul 14, 2010 at 11:23 AM
To: Erin Mutrie
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Hello,



As part of my Masters project for the Marine Affairs Program at Dalhousie University, I am administering and distributing surveys throughout the Digby Neck and Islands region. The goal of the surveys is to learn more about how familiar residents are with Marine Protected Areas, and also to gauge their interest in helping develop a Marine Protected Area for their region. As a resident and as someone who has a business in the region, I was hoping you could respond to the survey. I was also hoping you could pass the survey link on to friends and family. Surveys will be randomly mailed to a certain number of residents but unfortunately my budget does not cover printing and mailing costs for each resident. I am therefore also hoping to reach people through electronic means (email, facebook groups and local blogs). The survey can be reached here: https://surveys.dal.ca/opinio/s?s=8728. There is also a more complete explanation of the study at this link.



If you have any questions about the study, or have any ideas about ways for me to distribute the survey link, I can be reached at erinmutrie@dal.ca or my phone number is 1-902-495-7728. I really appreciate your time!



Sincerely,



Erin Mutrie



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To: Erin Mutrie

Power Rate Hikes

NS: NDP feeling heat over power rate hike
By Alex Boutilier, Metro Halifax

Source: Metro Halifax, July 14, 2010

[HALIFAX, NS] — Energy Minister Bill Estabrooks refused to say whether the government would consider loosening regulations to reduce a looming power-rate hike.

According to Nova Scotia Power Inc., restrictions on mercury in fuel necessitate a 12 per cent rate hike for residential users and an 18 per cent increase for businesses in 2011.

NS Power spokesman David Rodenhiser said the corporation has to operate within the regulatory framework set by the provincial government, but generating greener energy costs the company another kind of green.

“It’s our role to take whatever regulatory environment that the government sets and produce electricity meeting those regulatory requirements at the most cost-effective way to our customers,” said Rodenhiser.

Estabrooks said there has been pressure from various groups to reduce environmental targets in order to lessen the impact on energy consumers. But he said only cabinet can decide that.

“I won’t give you a yes or no on that,” said Estabrooks yesterday. “I’m … a cabinet minister and I’m not representing what my colleagues would make in a decision of that nature.”

Rodenhiser also refused to speculate on the matter.

“We wouldn’t go on record prejudging or hypothesizing about what the government might do,” said Rodenhiser.

Estabrooks met with representatives from business and social groups to discuss the possible rate hikes.

Shucks, Shoulda Been in Digby :- )

NS: Feds award $59M contract for RCMP headquarters
By Aly Thomson, Metro Halifax

Source: Metro Halifax, July 14, 2010

[DARTMOUTH, NS] — The Government of Canada has awarded PCL Constructors Canada Inc. $59 million to build a new RCMP headquarters in Dartmouth.

PCL is the largest general contracting organization 
in Canada and the eighth largest in the United
 States with an annual construction volume over 
$6 billion. Its operations in the civil infrastructure, heavy industrial, and buildings markets are supported by offices located across North America, including one in Dartmouth.

The RCMP H Division headquarters is currently comprised of 14 leased and two Crown-owned buildings in 10 different locations found across the Halifax Regional Municipality.

The new headquarters will generate 150 fresh jobs, said Defence Minister Peter MacKay in a news release.

The funding comes in addition to a previous commitment for a total investment of $100 million.


Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose turn sod at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new RCMP H Division headquarters in Burnside. The new building is scheduled to be completed by December 2013. — Ryan Taplin, Metro Halifax photo

The five-storey building will be developed over three years with the aim of receiving a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating. The design includes the installation of a green roof, dimming fixtures that adjust to natural light and use of natural gas.

If everything goes as planned, the building should be ready in December 2013, the release said.

Australia and Energy Ideas

Australia Businesses Call For Tax Breaks On Energy Efficiency



CANBERRA -(Dow Jones)- Australian business groups are calling on the government to use tax breaks to improve energy efficiency, rather than the " heavy-handed" approaches of a carbon tax or an emissions trading scheme, until there is an international consensus on climate policy.

It comes as the ruling Labor government is due to meet Tuesday to consider fresh approaches to climate policy in the run-up to a general election. New Prime Minister Julia Gillard named climate change one of the key issues she plans to address following the ouster of Kevin Rudd as leader on June 24.

Gillard has said she won't consider reintroducing plans for a carbon emissions trading scheme until at least 2012, in line with a delayed timetable Rudd announced in April.

But she is expected to flag new renewable energy and energy efficiency measures.

"With government this week again considering climate policy, there is no quick pre-election fix. In the absence of a global consensus where other countries carry their fair share, the Australian government should look to policies which are measured, practical and more carrot than stick," Peter Anderson, chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said in a statement.

"The recent change in Australian political leadership did not change the fact that the Copenhagen (climate) conference failed to reach a global consensus. The Australian government must adapt policy to this reality," he said.

Tax incentives for lower-emitting plant and equipment would be a "step in the right direction", he said.

A survey of 1,000 business owners by ACCI found 75% favor business tax incentives for energy efficiency.

"Taxing our economy with a carbon tax or unilateral emissions trading scheme has low business support in the current environment. The higher energy costs it would bring to business and consumers would come with little global gain," Anderson said.

-By Rachel Pannett, Dow Jones Newswires; 61-2-6208-0901; rachel.pannett@ dowjones.com