Update on Climate Change Policies and Contexts Presentation for The New Brunswick Public Education and Outreach Climate Change Hub, November 2006 B. MacKinnon, New Brunswick Lung Association

Climate is always changing “Climate Change” used in the recent sense represents an unusual rate of change caused primarily by human activity. Dual action needed- mitigation and adaptation Actions by non-governmental groups and municipalities continue on steady path. Actions by federal and provincial governments vary with political party, energy issues and economics.

Conservative Party of Canada Environment is not one the five priorities Environment focus is on Clean Air Clean Air Act – First reading then sent to committee for revision

Short-term ( ) For air pollutants: the government intends to adopt a target-setting approach based on fixed caps. For greenhouse gases: the government intends to adopt a target-setting approach based on emissions intensity. Medium-term ( ) For air pollutants: the government will continue to employ a fixed-cap approach to target-setting. For greenhouse gases: the government will build upon the emissions intensity approach with targets that are ambitious enough to lead to absolute reductions in emissions and thus support the establishment of a fixed cap on emissions during this period. Long-term (2050) For air pollutants: the government will continue to employ a fixed-cap approach. For greenhouse gases: An absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions between % from 2003 levels by 2050.

The NDP’s Proposed Amendments Legislate through the new Act, rather than regulations, short-, medium- and long-term targets for absolute greenhouse gas reductions by requiring Canada to meet: o its Kyoto Protocol target; o a science-based 2050 target of 80% below 1990 levels; and o interim targets at five year intervals between 2015 and an earlier deadline for regulating the industrial sector- in place by a hard cap on greenhouse gas emissions from the industrial sector of at-least 45 megatonnes per year. a requirement to develop mandatory standards for “criteria air contaminants” within one year of the new Act’s passage a requirement for a vehicle fuel efficiency standard, in line with leading North American jurisdictions, to be published by 2008, to be in place for the 2011 model year a requirement for the government to establish a cap and trade carbon market system in Canada.

Continued: Eliminate key tax incentives to the oil and gas sector Protect the government’s authority to regulate air pollutants and greenhouse gases to ensure that it is not vulnerable to court challenges by industry. Maintain effective provincial equivalency rule in the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Add new authority for the Environment Minister to designate “significant areas” under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, thereby being able to designate “hot zones” such as the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence basin. a requirement that programs for implementing the legislative targets be reviewed for their adequacy annually.

New Brunswick Liberal Party The three Es- Energy, Education, Economy Under Energy Extensive home energy conservation effort $2,000 per household Increase renewable sources to 10% of NB capacity by 2016 Tidal power research and commercialization Research and development of bio-fuels Examine feasibility of new small scale hydroelectric Explore hydrogen fuel cell opportunities Increase funding to Efficiency NB

Introduce demand-side efficiency programs- net metering, time-of-day savings Incentives for alternate fuel vehicles Pursue residential rebate for 8% provincial part of HST on electricity, oil, natural gas Maritime Green Power Pool Develop interconnection agreements to maximize development of renewable energy Develop power purchase agreements for renewable energy Legislate targets (10% by 2016) Green purchase requirements for government vehicles Provincial sales tax rebates on alternative fuel vehicles

Recommendations for Expanding Renewable Power Options in the Region: 1. Direct state and provincial agencies to work with the New Brunswick ISO, Hydro Québec, the ISO-New England, Inc. and other pertinent organizations involved in regional grid operations to support ‘balancing’ of intermittent resources. 2. Explore a regional credit transfer and trading mechanism. 3. Review state RPS standards relative to large-scale hydropower and renewable sources not included in jurisdictional standards. 4. Promote interconnection and transmission enhancements to increase trade and quantify cost allocation. 5. Identify and correct any energy trade barriers. 6. Consider long-term contract mechanisms to support resource and infrastructure development. NEG/ECP Energy Dialogue Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island October 25-26, 2006

Recommendations for Enhancing Regional Energy Efficiency Potential: 1. Adopt Energy Star Procurement Requirements for State and Provincial Governments. 2. Establish a mandatory 30% Energy Performance Standard for all publicly funded new construction and major renovations. 3. Procure all cost-effective energy efficiency for utility and standard offer supply and instruct regulators and Crown corporations to prioritize energy efficiency and ensure a proper planning process allows for all cost-effective efficiency to be pursued. -Let efficiency compete with supply and procure all efficiency resources that are cheaper than prices bid for conventional supply or capacity. 4. Investigate cost savings and emission reductions from 100% compliance with model energy codes and options for implementation. 5. Develop and adopt common measurement and verification protocols for energy efficiency savings.