A Boatload of New Ideas
And opportunities to propose new paradigms for our marine resources weren’t confined to just the discussions at Port day. Area residents were informed that they could still make their views known on issues affecting Nova Scotia's coastline by providing feedback on the State of Nova Scotia's Coast report and the development of Nova Scotia's Coastal Strategy. The provincial government announced that it had extended the deadline for comments to Friday, July 18 and you can participate by visiting the website for the report at www.gov.ns.ca/coast to access the online questionnaire.
Monday, July 5, 2010
ADEDA News
The big news last week was the release of the South West Transportation Study by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). The eagerly awaited report examined the role of our area’s existing transportation system and the bulk of the Study – and of immediate concern to Annapolis Digby – centered on how the future our regional transportation infrastructure relates to the area’s ferry services.
The study consultants reported that, in spite of changes in usage over the past number of years, local communities and industries strongly believed the ferry services to be an integral part of the regional transportation network and economy.
Fundy Service Essential Trade Link
This is particularly true for the ferry service between Digby and Saint John, New Brunswick. The fact that the ACOA study acknowledged that of the number of options tabled, the Bay of Fundy service had the best current cost/benefit ratio was welcomed by top government and business leaders on both sides of the Bay. Jim Thurber, Warden of the Municipality of Digby and Chair of the Bay of Fundy Transportation Coalition, had been leading an active regional business and community group for a number of years dedicated to communicating the need for continued and improved service.
The continuing case for the Digby-Saint John marine commercial corridor was also supported in an editorial at the end of last week in the region’s largest newspaper.
Port Day Focuses on Future
The day before the release of the ACOA transportation study a near capacity crowd at the town’s Heritage Centre gathered for Digby Port Day to hear roster of top speakers discuss the opportunities that could be met by present and future marine facilities and our location on the Bay of Fundy. The presenters discussed the Bay’s rising profile as a global tourism and alternative energy option, as well as the importance of existing commercial services. The special keynote speaker, area Member of Parliament Greg Kerr emphasised that continuing community involvement was essential to pursuing our goals.
A Boatload of New Ideas
And opportunities to propose new paradigms for our marine resources weren’t confined to just the discussions at Port day. Area residents were informed that they could still make their views known on issues affecting Nova Scotia's coastline by providing feedback on the State of Nova Scotia's Coast report and the development of Nova Scotia's Coastal Strategy. The provincial government announced that it had extended the deadline for comments to Friday, July 18 and you can participate by visiting the website for the report at www.gov.ns.ca/coast to access the online questionnaire.
One innovative new coastline concept attracted national radio and print media last week when a Halifax environmental group linked with five area fishermen to launch Atlantic Canada’s first community supported fishery. It’s a bold idea in sustainable resource management that could benefit both harvesters and the consumers.
And back on dry land Annapolis Municipality Warden Peter Newton announced that the District would be targeting receipt of provincial energy funding to continue to pursue initiatives designed to reduce our energy consumption to more sustainable levels.
A Hall of Fame Career
As you know it is often my wont to put faces on the many achievements that celebrate the winning ways of life in Annapolis Digby. Last week it was a young golfer from Digby who won the national university women’s championship and just beginning promising future. This week the spotlight swings to the other margin of a successful athletic career with the recognition given to Weymouth native Gary Sabean who was announced as one of this year’s inductees into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.
Out and about
What with the timing of Canada Day last week offering up the prospect of a four day weekend, family and I took the opportunity to take in some of the community events that have been popping up all over Annapolis Digby like lupines – and fortunately scheduled to continue on much longer. As residents of a lovely seaside locale we took in the annual Smiths Cove Day festivities, which featured great food and good fellowship – especially the return of our many seasonal friends from the USA – as well as this year meeting new neighbors from Europe. Our day kicked off with a breakfast at the Fire Hall, followed later in the day by a sandwich-laden “tea” at the Museum/Community Centre. If you’re in our area make an effort to get out to our community events (especially the weekly “Firemen’s Breakfasts” scheduled around the area). They’re great gatherings serving great causes.
Till next week;
Peter
Peter MacLellan
Annapolis Digby EDA
86 Atlantic Avenue
PO Box 271
Cornwallis, Nova Scotia
Canada B0S 1H0
Tel: (902) 638-3490
Fax: (902) 638-8106
E: communications@annapolisdigby.com
The study consultants reported that, in spite of changes in usage over the past number of years, local communities and industries strongly believed the ferry services to be an integral part of the regional transportation network and economy.
Fundy Service Essential Trade Link
This is particularly true for the ferry service between Digby and Saint John, New Brunswick. The fact that the ACOA study acknowledged that of the number of options tabled, the Bay of Fundy service had the best current cost/benefit ratio was welcomed by top government and business leaders on both sides of the Bay. Jim Thurber, Warden of the Municipality of Digby and Chair of the Bay of Fundy Transportation Coalition, had been leading an active regional business and community group for a number of years dedicated to communicating the need for continued and improved service.
The continuing case for the Digby-Saint John marine commercial corridor was also supported in an editorial at the end of last week in the region’s largest newspaper.
Port Day Focuses on Future
The day before the release of the ACOA transportation study a near capacity crowd at the town’s Heritage Centre gathered for Digby Port Day to hear roster of top speakers discuss the opportunities that could be met by present and future marine facilities and our location on the Bay of Fundy. The presenters discussed the Bay’s rising profile as a global tourism and alternative energy option, as well as the importance of existing commercial services. The special keynote speaker, area Member of Parliament Greg Kerr emphasised that continuing community involvement was essential to pursuing our goals.
A Boatload of New Ideas
And opportunities to propose new paradigms for our marine resources weren’t confined to just the discussions at Port day. Area residents were informed that they could still make their views known on issues affecting Nova Scotia's coastline by providing feedback on the State of Nova Scotia's Coast report and the development of Nova Scotia's Coastal Strategy. The provincial government announced that it had extended the deadline for comments to Friday, July 18 and you can participate by visiting the website for the report at www.gov.ns.ca/coast to access the online questionnaire.
One innovative new coastline concept attracted national radio and print media last week when a Halifax environmental group linked with five area fishermen to launch Atlantic Canada’s first community supported fishery. It’s a bold idea in sustainable resource management that could benefit both harvesters and the consumers.
And back on dry land Annapolis Municipality Warden Peter Newton announced that the District would be targeting receipt of provincial energy funding to continue to pursue initiatives designed to reduce our energy consumption to more sustainable levels.
A Hall of Fame Career
As you know it is often my wont to put faces on the many achievements that celebrate the winning ways of life in Annapolis Digby. Last week it was a young golfer from Digby who won the national university women’s championship and just beginning promising future. This week the spotlight swings to the other margin of a successful athletic career with the recognition given to Weymouth native Gary Sabean who was announced as one of this year’s inductees into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.
Out and about
What with the timing of Canada Day last week offering up the prospect of a four day weekend, family and I took the opportunity to take in some of the community events that have been popping up all over Annapolis Digby like lupines – and fortunately scheduled to continue on much longer. As residents of a lovely seaside locale we took in the annual Smiths Cove Day festivities, which featured great food and good fellowship – especially the return of our many seasonal friends from the USA – as well as this year meeting new neighbors from Europe. Our day kicked off with a breakfast at the Fire Hall, followed later in the day by a sandwich-laden “tea” at the Museum/Community Centre. If you’re in our area make an effort to get out to our community events (especially the weekly “Firemen’s Breakfasts” scheduled around the area). They’re great gatherings serving great causes.
Till next week;
Peter
Peter MacLellan
Annapolis Digby EDA
86 Atlantic Avenue
PO Box 271
Cornwallis, Nova Scotia
Canada B0S 1H0
Tel: (902) 638-3490
Fax: (902) 638-8106
E: communications@annapolisdigby.com
Labels:
ferry service Digby Nova Scotia
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Health Care
Health care: Is there room for optimism?
RALPH SURETTE
Sat. Jul 3 - 4:53 AM
It’s been a year and a half since I left off writing about the crucial, politically charged and bureaucratically overwrought subject of health care, awaiting developments with the new government. Recently, I’ve been looking for signs of where we’re at.
The news has been mainly about Dr. John Ross’s task force as it tackles the troubled issue of emergency rooms. Beyond that, a $6.4-million community living initiative and the elaboration of a longer-term strategy for mental illness have been announced, as has an expanded role for pharmacists. More nursing homes have opened. There has been pressure to fund the eye drug Avastin, a bust-up over a fired nurse practitioner on Digby Neck, and a bureaucratic glitch that led the Dal Med School to have its funding partially cut (since restored).
Meanwhile, the ERs remain stressed, doctors are hard to come by, Nova Scotian waiting lists are the longest in the country for some procedures and the money crunch doesn’t abate. There’s little so far to give a larger sense of direction, which raises the same question as is aimed at the NDP government in general: Are we going anywhere and, if so, where?
I got Health Minister Maureen MacDonald on the phone for a brief chat. She said if it seems slow, there’s a reason. As soon as she took office, her department was mostly bogged down for six months with the H1N1 crisis. Indeed, her rough inauguration was "seeing a young 20s mom on a ventilator at the Grace … pretty sobering stuff."
Now, she says, things are moving and she declares herself optimistic. The plan is for more primary and collaborative care involving nurses, pharmacists and others; better management of chronic diseases; attempts to improve Nova Scotia’s spectacularly unhealthy lifestyles, and others — all aimed at reducing the load at ERs and doctors’ offices.
None of this is new. It’s the standard scenario now across the country, and was mainly outlined for Nova Scotia in the Rodney MacDonald government’s Corpus Sanchez study of two and a half years ago. The difficulty is in getting it done — to design the programs, clean out the inefficiencies in a stressed and sometimes obtuse health bureaucracy, motivate the ground-level workers and educate the public.
I asked MacDonald if there were, then, announcements imminent. "Developments," she corrected, indicating that the pace will be firm and methodical, without spectacular declarations.
Meanwhile, the larger context of health care has shifted somewhat and may boost MacDonald’s optimism. For one thing, the distracting pressure for privatization has abated, as some of the measures indicated above start to take effect across Canada. The argument is actually being won by public medicine. Canadians appear to want nothing to do with privatized medicine. Medicare got a nearly 90 per cent endorsement in a recent Nanos Research poll.
The figures also speak loudly. Recently, Dr. Robert G. Evans, a specialist in comparative health systems, told parliamentarians in Ottawa that the medicare part of health costs — doctors and hospitals — has remained stable for 20 years. It’s the non-medicare part that’s skyrocketing — dentistry (have you been to the dentist lately?) and eye care, for example, or, notably, drug prices.
Indeed, I had called MacDonald primarily to ask about a recent one-year agreement whereby the province will pay pharmacies more for dispensing drugs under the Pharmacare program. It’s only for one year in order to do two things, she said: work out the future role of pharmacists in the system, and give time to see what the big provinces will do with regard to drug costs before making the next move.
One small province can’t do much alone, she says, although there have been talks with other Atlantic provinces. Ontario and Quebec have moved to save hundreds of millions of dollars by changing the arrangements the large pharmaceutical chains have with generic drug manufacturers. Bringing down the cost of drugs — and reducing their arguably excessive use — is one of the keys to sustainable medicine.
On the less optimistic side, a resumption of recession, and therefore of governments’ capacity to pay, will increase the pressure on what is the largest budget item for governments everywhere. Nevertheless, the endless studies and efforts to restore health care in Nova Scotia after the low points of the 1990s may be slowly bearing fruit. But MacDonald’s optimism will be put to the test.
( rsurette@herald.ca)
RALPH SURETTE
Sat. Jul 3 - 4:53 AM
It’s been a year and a half since I left off writing about the crucial, politically charged and bureaucratically overwrought subject of health care, awaiting developments with the new government. Recently, I’ve been looking for signs of where we’re at.
The news has been mainly about Dr. John Ross’s task force as it tackles the troubled issue of emergency rooms. Beyond that, a $6.4-million community living initiative and the elaboration of a longer-term strategy for mental illness have been announced, as has an expanded role for pharmacists. More nursing homes have opened. There has been pressure to fund the eye drug Avastin, a bust-up over a fired nurse practitioner on Digby Neck, and a bureaucratic glitch that led the Dal Med School to have its funding partially cut (since restored).
Meanwhile, the ERs remain stressed, doctors are hard to come by, Nova Scotian waiting lists are the longest in the country for some procedures and the money crunch doesn’t abate. There’s little so far to give a larger sense of direction, which raises the same question as is aimed at the NDP government in general: Are we going anywhere and, if so, where?
I got Health Minister Maureen MacDonald on the phone for a brief chat. She said if it seems slow, there’s a reason. As soon as she took office, her department was mostly bogged down for six months with the H1N1 crisis. Indeed, her rough inauguration was "seeing a young 20s mom on a ventilator at the Grace … pretty sobering stuff."
Now, she says, things are moving and she declares herself optimistic. The plan is for more primary and collaborative care involving nurses, pharmacists and others; better management of chronic diseases; attempts to improve Nova Scotia’s spectacularly unhealthy lifestyles, and others — all aimed at reducing the load at ERs and doctors’ offices.
None of this is new. It’s the standard scenario now across the country, and was mainly outlined for Nova Scotia in the Rodney MacDonald government’s Corpus Sanchez study of two and a half years ago. The difficulty is in getting it done — to design the programs, clean out the inefficiencies in a stressed and sometimes obtuse health bureaucracy, motivate the ground-level workers and educate the public.
I asked MacDonald if there were, then, announcements imminent. "Developments," she corrected, indicating that the pace will be firm and methodical, without spectacular declarations.
Meanwhile, the larger context of health care has shifted somewhat and may boost MacDonald’s optimism. For one thing, the distracting pressure for privatization has abated, as some of the measures indicated above start to take effect across Canada. The argument is actually being won by public medicine. Canadians appear to want nothing to do with privatized medicine. Medicare got a nearly 90 per cent endorsement in a recent Nanos Research poll.
The figures also speak loudly. Recently, Dr. Robert G. Evans, a specialist in comparative health systems, told parliamentarians in Ottawa that the medicare part of health costs — doctors and hospitals — has remained stable for 20 years. It’s the non-medicare part that’s skyrocketing — dentistry (have you been to the dentist lately?) and eye care, for example, or, notably, drug prices.
Indeed, I had called MacDonald primarily to ask about a recent one-year agreement whereby the province will pay pharmacies more for dispensing drugs under the Pharmacare program. It’s only for one year in order to do two things, she said: work out the future role of pharmacists in the system, and give time to see what the big provinces will do with regard to drug costs before making the next move.
One small province can’t do much alone, she says, although there have been talks with other Atlantic provinces. Ontario and Quebec have moved to save hundreds of millions of dollars by changing the arrangements the large pharmaceutical chains have with generic drug manufacturers. Bringing down the cost of drugs — and reducing their arguably excessive use — is one of the keys to sustainable medicine.
On the less optimistic side, a resumption of recession, and therefore of governments’ capacity to pay, will increase the pressure on what is the largest budget item for governments everywhere. Nevertheless, the endless studies and efforts to restore health care in Nova Scotia after the low points of the 1990s may be slowly bearing fruit. But MacDonald’s optimism will be put to the test.
( rsurette@herald.ca)
Labels:
Health Care Nova Scotia
Friday, July 2, 2010
So Long, Liz
Queen bids farewell to Nova Scotia
Halifax News Net
Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh wrapped up a three-day tour to Nova Scotia today, June 30.
The Queen planted an oak tree outside Government House, her last official function in Nova Scotia, to commemorate their visit to Nova Scotia before departing to Halifax Stanfield International Airport. The Royal Couple will fly to Ontario, where they will take part in Canada Day activities in the National Capital Region.
"This has been an opportunity to reflect on the personal ties we have as Nova Scotians with the monarchy," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "The past three days speaks to our joy of having Her Majesty and His Royal Highness visit Nova Scotia and the many traditions that were honoured."
Highlights of the Royal Visit included the official welcome at Garrison Grounds, the International Fleet Review as part of Canadian Naval Centennial, and a tour of a Mi'kmaq Cultural Village to mark Membertou 400 anniversary celebrations.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh also unveiled plaques commemorating the 100 anniversary of the navy and the historical significance of HMCS Sackville, Canada's Naval Memorial.
The Royal Couple attended a Celebration of Nova Scotia reception in honour of Nova Scotians from all walks of life at the Cunard Centre last night, who were recognized for contributions to their communities. Premier Dexter presented the Royal Couple with a commemorative crystal pedestal bowl from Nova Scotian Crystal to symbolize the stability and traditions the monarchy represents.
Her Majesty and His Royal Highness also participated in several walkabouts as part of an ongoing tradition, that the Queen Mother initiated in 1939, to meet as many people as possible.
Halifax News Net
Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh wrapped up a three-day tour to Nova Scotia today, June 30.
The Queen planted an oak tree outside Government House, her last official function in Nova Scotia, to commemorate their visit to Nova Scotia before departing to Halifax Stanfield International Airport. The Royal Couple will fly to Ontario, where they will take part in Canada Day activities in the National Capital Region.
"This has been an opportunity to reflect on the personal ties we have as Nova Scotians with the monarchy," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "The past three days speaks to our joy of having Her Majesty and His Royal Highness visit Nova Scotia and the many traditions that were honoured."
Highlights of the Royal Visit included the official welcome at Garrison Grounds, the International Fleet Review as part of Canadian Naval Centennial, and a tour of a Mi'kmaq Cultural Village to mark Membertou 400 anniversary celebrations.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh also unveiled plaques commemorating the 100 anniversary of the navy and the historical significance of HMCS Sackville, Canada's Naval Memorial.
The Royal Couple attended a Celebration of Nova Scotia reception in honour of Nova Scotians from all walks of life at the Cunard Centre last night, who were recognized for contributions to their communities. Premier Dexter presented the Royal Couple with a commemorative crystal pedestal bowl from Nova Scotian Crystal to symbolize the stability and traditions the monarchy represents.
Her Majesty and His Royal Highness also participated in several walkabouts as part of an ongoing tradition, that the Queen Mother initiated in 1939, to meet as many people as possible.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Energy Conservation
Read to end for some brilliant comments
This from the U.K>
Crackdown on promotion of energy saving light bulbs
A scheme to promote energy saving light bulbs has been shelved as the new Government concentrates on insulating almost four million people's homes instead.
By Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent
Published: 1:14PM BST 30 Jun 2010
Experts believe that vast numbers of the compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulb are never used Photo: REUTERS The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target or CERT was set up by the last Government in April 2008 to force energy companies to cut carbon emissions from households by a certain amount.
Already it has helped 2.5 million people insulate their homes by providing financial help for professionals to fit lagging or double glazing.
Related Articles
Free eco-light bulbs 'cost £45'
Government ends free energy saving light bulbs scheme
Britons panic buying last stocks of conventional lightbulbs
Home owners failing green targets to pay more Council Tax
Customers buy up traditional light bulbs before switch to low energy alternatives
Jonathon Porritt, the greenest of bluebloodsBut the scheme has been criticised for also allowing energy companies to count more inefficient ways of cutting energy use towards the target. Under the scheme more than 330 million energy saving light bulbs have been distributed, though watchdogs say many of them remain unused.
Chris Huhne, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary, said the next period of the scheme, from March 2011 to December 2012, will force energy companies to only use more tried and tested methods.
Already the mail out of light bulbs has been banned and he said the promotion of the compact fluorescent (CFLs) in supermarkets would also be ruled out. Most insulation will have to be carried out by professionals, rather than leaving it to households to do it themselves.
Mr Huhne said forcing energy companies to be more efficient will ensure 3.5 million homes will be insulated over the next period of CERT.
He said the scheme will concentrate on insulating homes in deprived areas first.
"This is the beginning of a massive and urgent increase in home energy insulation for the nation. We are demanding that energy companies work harder to make homes warmer, more environmentally friendly and cheaper to run, especially for those who need it most," he said.
Government advisers have recently warned that unless the UK increases the pace of home insulation, then the country will miss key climate change targets.
It comes as scientists at The Grantham Institute for Climate Change at Imperial College London revealed that switching the lights off might save even more energy than was previously thought.
The study said that current Government estimates of how much carbon is saved when people reduce electricity consumption is up to 60 per cent too low.
This from the U.K>
Crackdown on promotion of energy saving light bulbs
A scheme to promote energy saving light bulbs has been shelved as the new Government concentrates on insulating almost four million people's homes instead.
By Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent
Published: 1:14PM BST 30 Jun 2010
Experts believe that vast numbers of the compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulb are never used Photo: REUTERS The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target or CERT was set up by the last Government in April 2008 to force energy companies to cut carbon emissions from households by a certain amount.
Already it has helped 2.5 million people insulate their homes by providing financial help for professionals to fit lagging or double glazing.
Related Articles
Free eco-light bulbs 'cost £45'
Government ends free energy saving light bulbs scheme
Britons panic buying last stocks of conventional lightbulbs
Home owners failing green targets to pay more Council Tax
Customers buy up traditional light bulbs before switch to low energy alternatives
Jonathon Porritt, the greenest of bluebloodsBut the scheme has been criticised for also allowing energy companies to count more inefficient ways of cutting energy use towards the target. Under the scheme more than 330 million energy saving light bulbs have been distributed, though watchdogs say many of them remain unused.
Chris Huhne, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary, said the next period of the scheme, from March 2011 to December 2012, will force energy companies to only use more tried and tested methods.
Already the mail out of light bulbs has been banned and he said the promotion of the compact fluorescent (CFLs) in supermarkets would also be ruled out. Most insulation will have to be carried out by professionals, rather than leaving it to households to do it themselves.
Mr Huhne said forcing energy companies to be more efficient will ensure 3.5 million homes will be insulated over the next period of CERT.
He said the scheme will concentrate on insulating homes in deprived areas first.
"This is the beginning of a massive and urgent increase in home energy insulation for the nation. We are demanding that energy companies work harder to make homes warmer, more environmentally friendly and cheaper to run, especially for those who need it most," he said.
Government advisers have recently warned that unless the UK increases the pace of home insulation, then the country will miss key climate change targets.
It comes as scientists at The Grantham Institute for Climate Change at Imperial College London revealed that switching the lights off might save even more energy than was previously thought.
The study said that current Government estimates of how much carbon is saved when people reduce electricity consumption is up to 60 per cent too low.
Labels:
energy conservation U.K.
Irving Withdraws from Biodiesel Plant
economic downturn, softening of demand for petroleum products
Weeks after mothballing a tidal energy research project, Irving Oil Ltd. has withdrawn its application for environmental approval to build a biodiesel refinery in Saint John.
A Department of Environment spokesperson said in an emailed statement that Irving Oil's biodiesel refinery plan has been withdrawn and will be immediately removed from the department's list of projects under environmental review.
Irving Oil did not respond to requests for an interview on Tuesday to discuss the decision to scuttle the proposed project.
The biodiesel plant was intended to be built next to Irving Oil's existing oil refinery in east Saint John.
Sam Robinson, a company spokesperson, said in April that the proposed plan would be designed to produce 2,200 barrels per day of biodiesel.
The company applied on March 31 for environmental impact assessment for a biodiesel refinery to create a renewable energy product from food waste that can be added to diesel fuel.
"And if this project proceeds it would employ up to 300 people in construction and create as many as 20 to 30 permanent jobs," Robinson said in April.
The environmental impact assessment application was timed so the company could qualify for federal government incentives designed to encourage biodiesel manufacturing.
When talking about the proposed biodeisel refinery, Irving Oil said in April the project was in the very early stages of development and warned that a lot of work needed to be done before it would move forward.
While the biodiesel plant would produce 2,200 barrels per day, the conventional Irving Oil refinery that it would have been built beside produces about 300,000 barrels of oil and gas per day.
It was revealed this week that Irving Oil quietly backed away from its exclusive rights to test 11 stretches of Crown land for tidal power capabilities.
When Irving Oil was awarded the rights to study the tidal power potential in the Bay of Fundy it had indicated that the tidal power generated could help power its proposed second oil refinery.
However, Irving Oil and BP shelved plans to build a second conventional oil refinery, known as Eider Rock, in July 2009.
A study conducted by Irving Oil and BP, which is currently dealing with the Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster, concluded that the project was not viable during the economic downturn and the softening demand for petroleum products.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2010/06/30/nb-irving-oil-biodiesel-refinery-558.html#ixzz0sQZRp0lQ
Weeks after mothballing a tidal energy research project, Irving Oil Ltd. has withdrawn its application for environmental approval to build a biodiesel refinery in Saint John.
A Department of Environment spokesperson said in an emailed statement that Irving Oil's biodiesel refinery plan has been withdrawn and will be immediately removed from the department's list of projects under environmental review.
Irving Oil did not respond to requests for an interview on Tuesday to discuss the decision to scuttle the proposed project.
The biodiesel plant was intended to be built next to Irving Oil's existing oil refinery in east Saint John.
Sam Robinson, a company spokesperson, said in April that the proposed plan would be designed to produce 2,200 barrels per day of biodiesel.
The company applied on March 31 for environmental impact assessment for a biodiesel refinery to create a renewable energy product from food waste that can be added to diesel fuel.
"And if this project proceeds it would employ up to 300 people in construction and create as many as 20 to 30 permanent jobs," Robinson said in April.
The environmental impact assessment application was timed so the company could qualify for federal government incentives designed to encourage biodiesel manufacturing.
When talking about the proposed biodeisel refinery, Irving Oil said in April the project was in the very early stages of development and warned that a lot of work needed to be done before it would move forward.
While the biodiesel plant would produce 2,200 barrels per day, the conventional Irving Oil refinery that it would have been built beside produces about 300,000 barrels of oil and gas per day.
It was revealed this week that Irving Oil quietly backed away from its exclusive rights to test 11 stretches of Crown land for tidal power capabilities.
When Irving Oil was awarded the rights to study the tidal power potential in the Bay of Fundy it had indicated that the tidal power generated could help power its proposed second oil refinery.
However, Irving Oil and BP shelved plans to build a second conventional oil refinery, known as Eider Rock, in July 2009.
A study conducted by Irving Oil and BP, which is currently dealing with the Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster, concluded that the project was not viable during the economic downturn and the softening demand for petroleum products.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2010/06/30/nb-irving-oil-biodiesel-refinery-558.html#ixzz0sQZRp0lQ
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
From Live Earth
Benefit Concerts for Fishermen & Wildlife affected by Gulf Coast Oil Spill
This Thursday, July 1st, join artists, musicians, and activists worldwide to benefit those directly impacted by the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill. The wetlands and wildlife are in desperate need of our attention as oil continues gushing more than two months after the Deepwater Horizon drilling disaster.
Proceeds from all participating venues will be donated to The Gulf Restoration Network, a nonprofit committed to uniting and empowering people to protect and restore the natural resources of the Gulf Region for future generations.
Let's make a difference now!
Click here to find an event near you or here to host your own.
Neighborgoods: Share Stuff with Friends and Save Money
Need to borrow a tent for the weekend or got an extra bike to lend a neighbor for the afternoon? Neighborgoods, a new online community, just made sharing and repurposing our "stuff" a whole lot easier.
NeighborGoods members can borrow, lend, rent, sell and buy stuff from their neighbors, saving money and getting more value out of the items they already own. A great way to encourage re-use and keep waste out of landfills!
Check it out at NeighborGoods.net.
Live Earth Bloggers' Moving Photos and Reports from the Gulf
This week TedxOilSpill examined the issues and concerns arising from this environmental catastrophe and the nonprofit Citizen Effect went on a fact-finding mission to establish solutions for the community and the fragile ecosystem of the Gulf Coast.
Check out Kris Krug's stunning photo essays from above and around the Gulf Coast (Part 1 Part 2, Part 3, Part 4).
And read along as we follow Geoff Livingston on the Citizen Effect Gulf Mission which began this week.
This Thursday, July 1st, join artists, musicians, and activists worldwide to benefit those directly impacted by the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill. The wetlands and wildlife are in desperate need of our attention as oil continues gushing more than two months after the Deepwater Horizon drilling disaster.
Proceeds from all participating venues will be donated to The Gulf Restoration Network, a nonprofit committed to uniting and empowering people to protect and restore the natural resources of the Gulf Region for future generations.
Let's make a difference now!
Click here to find an event near you or here to host your own.
Neighborgoods: Share Stuff with Friends and Save Money
Need to borrow a tent for the weekend or got an extra bike to lend a neighbor for the afternoon? Neighborgoods, a new online community, just made sharing and repurposing our "stuff" a whole lot easier.
NeighborGoods members can borrow, lend, rent, sell and buy stuff from their neighbors, saving money and getting more value out of the items they already own. A great way to encourage re-use and keep waste out of landfills!
Check it out at NeighborGoods.net.
Live Earth Bloggers' Moving Photos and Reports from the Gulf
This week TedxOilSpill examined the issues and concerns arising from this environmental catastrophe and the nonprofit Citizen Effect went on a fact-finding mission to establish solutions for the community and the fragile ecosystem of the Gulf Coast.
Check out Kris Krug's stunning photo essays from above and around the Gulf Coast (Part 1 Part 2, Part 3, Part 4).
And read along as we follow Geoff Livingston on the Citizen Effect Gulf Mission which began this week.
Labels:
Live Earth gulf oil spill
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