Federal government announces more than $1B for clean energy projects in N.B.
Many projects are in collaboration with Indigenous communities and governments
The federal government has announced just over $1 billion in funding for clean electricity projects in New Brunswick.
In Dieppe on Sunday for the announcement, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault said the money would ensure that the province's power grid can keep up with increasing demand.
"All of us have a role to play in building the future we want to see — a future where we can fight climate change, grow the economy, and generate good union paying jobs," he said.
The funding will go toward numerous projects, but the largest portion by far is the $1 billion earmarked for 670-megawatts worth of Indigenous-led wind projects through the Canada Infrastructure Bank and Natural Resources Canada.
"Building a clean electricity grid is central to Canada's effort to tackle the climate change crisis," said Guilbeault.
Other projects include:
- $25 million for the Neweg Energy wind project.
- $25 million to N.B. Power for pre-development work for up to 600 megawatts in new small modular reactor capacity at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station.
- A commitment to support the conversion of the Belledune generating station from coal-fired power to biomass
- $1.6 million to further investigate the conversion through engineering and planning studies.
- $1.3 million to N.B. Power for pre-development work on the modified Atlantic Loop transmission line between N.B. and N.S.
- $500,000 to the North Shore Mi'kmaq Tribal Council to provide seven Mi'kmaw nations in New Brunswick resources and technical support and enable direct participation in clean energy opportunities.
"Whenever we introduce any kind of new energy generation, there's always fear, there's always concern," said René Legacy, New Brunswick's energy minister and deputy premier.
"So the quicker we get the dialogue going, the quicker we start producing and getting the project started, the better it is."
N.B. Power estimates these investments will help power up to 140,000 homes.
Joint agreement
Canada has committed to building a net-zero energy grid by 2050. But New Brunswick has long relied on coal and fossil fuels, threatening to derail that commitment.
Guilbeault said Sunday that another part of the announcement included an agreement between the two levels of government when it comes to new clean energy regulations.
"We've worked hard together to identify key investments that will support the phaseout of coal-fired electricity in New Brunswick by 2030 as we build a clean power grid for the future," he said.
That agreement includes some "flexibilities" when it comes to decarbonization, which will be available to all provinces, although no details were provided.
Indigenous groups taking the lead
Elder Gordon Labillois of Eel River Bar First Nation, spoke at the announcement as a representative from the Indigenous communities that will oversee some of the projects.
MI'kmaw Elder Gordon Labillois says the partnership goes beyond simple duty to consult with Indigenous communities. (Victoria Walton/CBC)
"It's about action … reconciliation," he said. "We're finally starting to see some action that's been talked about for the longest period of time now, but it's nice to see the action with N.B. Power."
Labillois, who said his own community is at risk of being displaced by climate change, hopes that the announcements made Sunday will prevent further communities from being impacted.
"Who's to say what's gonna happen in 100 years, 200 years or 500 years?" he said. "But I think it's important to do something today."
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Wow before I scroll down I have no doubt many folks can see this for what it is
Don Corey
Reply to David Amos
I can certainly see it for what it is; absolutely.
"The funding will go toward numerous projects, but the largest portion by far is the $1 billion earmarked for 670-megawatts worth of Indigenous-led wind projects through the Canada Infrastructure Bank and Natural Resources Canada."
$ 1 BILLION!!!
That's a lot of money, and absolutely no details provided on how it will be spent, or where, or when, and for what?
This federal government has a proven track record of seldom, if ever, delivering on their vague commitments.
It's all about more Liberal spending for votes, and Leblanc has to show that he's finally done something for the province that, sadly, keeps voting him in.
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
Yup
Alison Jackson
Biomass is almost as bad as coal fired.
Walter Vrbetic
Reply to Alison Jackson
You think, let's have a closer look...
Wood pellets are what's commonly known as biomass... so it comes from trees.
Burn a tree's worth of pellets and plant a tree. The newly planted tree recaptures the CO2 from burning in the roughly 30 years it takes for that tree to mature.
Now look at coal (or gas or oil...) how many millions of years would it take for new coal to form and recapture that CO2?
David Amos
IMHO Its worse
Rae Swearengen
The "collaboration" will be your demise. Have fun.
David Amos
Reply to Rae Swearengen
C'est Vrai
Shevek Anarres
Much of Earth's lands are drying out and damaging the ability of plant and animal life to survive, according to a United Nations report released Monday at talks where countries are working to address the problem.
Dennis Woodman
Reply to Shevek Anarres
And?
David Amos
Reply to Dennis Woodman
Keep reading
Shevek Anarres
Reply to Dennis Woodman
If you don't see the connection...
Rae Swearengen
Reply to Shevek Anarres
How is that possible? The planet is a closed circuit of sorts. The same amount of water in on this planet that always has been. Maybe it's frozen on-top of a mountain or maybe it's in the ocean or as fog somewhere. It's moving. Our climate is changing and shifting. And human ingenuity will adapt.. asking people to do without or to regress will not work in any way, shape or form. So please move over and allow the big brained people create and evolve. Progress reigns.
Alison Jackson
Reply to Rae Swearengen
"asking people to do without or to regress will not work in any way, shape or form."
Why? Because people are stuck in their ways and don't want to change? or perhaps social media is telling them not to? Which one do you think it is?
Rae Swearengen
Reply to Alison Jackson
No because they don't want to stop flying in planes. They don't want to go back to drinking from paper straws. They don't want to use less air conditioning etc etc etc. we are being asked to do with less. And that won't work.
do green projects require so much of my money ?
Shevek Anarres
Reply to Jimmy Cochrane
Why does the oil industry need so much of mine?
David Amos
Reply to Jimmy Cochrane
Go Figure
Ronald Miller
Reply to Shevek Anarres
While I am all for green energy and its development, much of the oil industry are publicly traded companies, their money does not come from the taxpayer.
John Hoagie
Reply to Shevek Anarres
They don't really get much of "your money" and on top of that they have to pay for a $34B federal boondoggle.
One more money pit/slush fund for libs and their pals
Before they are sent into histories ash can
David Amos
Reply to Gordon MacFarlane
Oh So True
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