Nova Scotia is overhauling its Environmental Assessment (EA) process to develop energy and natural resources quicker, to help spur economic opportunities and support energy development across the province. Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Timothy Halman, said the changes to the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act will help move the clean economy forward faster and streamline the environmental assessment processes to make it clearer and easier to understand for all Nova Scotians. “A modernized environmental assessment process supports the responsible use and development of our natural resources and will help transform Nova Scotia into a clean energy leader, while maintaining our high environmental standards,” Halman said, in a press release. “These changes will help ensure sustainable energy and economic security for Nova Scotians.” The last time the province made substantial changes to the EA process was in 2008. Changes made now will help make Nova Scotia a clean energy powerhouse said Halman. “We are leading the pack,” said Halman. “A lot of work has gone into this.” Most of the changes involves bringing more projects into the Class 1 assessment process. Halman said these changes will make the province more sustainable and self-reliant when it comes to meeting future clean energy needs and spurring those energy opportunities. The changes include: There are two Classes of Environmental Assessment, Class 1 and Class 2 and the government is moving to put more projects into the Class 1 category. The main difference between Class 1 and Class 2 is that Class 2 assessments apply to large scale projects. Class 1 projects can typically receive approval in a 50-day timeframe versus Class 2 assessments that typically takes more than 240 days to complete. Other regulatory changes include adding large biomass, biogas and clean fuel energy projects. These will fall under the Class 1 process to ensure prompt review; the province believes this will help streamline projects. Scott Skinner, president and CEO of the Clean Foundation will help clear the pathway for clean energy projects to move ahead faster. “We are encouraged by the inclusion of climate change as a decision-making lens for projects,” said Skinner. “As well as that improved information will be available for Nova Scotians to engage in the process.” For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
