Media Clipping – Thursday October 20, 2005, The Guardian, Charlottetown, PEI

Halifax; Stop wasting energy and boost newables, study suggests

A study by a Nova Scotia-based think-tank is arguing the province needs to radically change its energy-wasting ways and rapidly increase use of wind energy.

GPI Atlantic, a non-profit group that uses environmental costs in its economic models, said Wednesday that in 30 measurements of energy progress, Nova Scotia is falling behind other provinces in almost all areas.

The 400-page study finds that Nova Scotian energy demands have risen 12 per cent since 1991.

The non-profit group says the province's reliance on imported coal to generate electricity is producing per capita sulphur-dioxide emissions seven times the Canadian average.

The study also says the province is producing increasing amounts of nitrogen oxides from sources such as fossil fuels and the burning of wood; and volatile organic compounds are rising, along with ground-level ozone and smog.

"Our present energy system is not sustainable," said study author Ron Colman.

Even in the two areas showing progress - particulate matter emissions and mercury produced from energy-related activities - the report says levels are still unacceptably high.

Meanwhile, the study says the proportion of electricity generated from renewable resources has actually fallen over the past 20 years. Colman said Nova Scotia is at a "critical point" in its energy habits.

He said the province must pursue a path more like Prince Edward Island, where a long-term plan is now in place to develop wind energy.

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