Nova Scotia charges ahead with offshore wind regulator, aims to open bids next year

Original Report: www.cbc.ca(full story)

Nova Scotia is advancing legislative changes to allow bidding for offshore wind projects next year, with the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board becoming the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator, which will now oversee renewable energy projects. Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables, Tory Rushton, emphasized the potential of offshore wind as a crucial economic opportunity and aims for five gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030. The province is not waiting for Ottawa’s Bill C-49 to implement its own regulations due to delays, as the bill seeks to create a joint regulatory scheme for offshore wind oversight. Despite calls from the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs for more analysis of the bill, Rushton indicated that these concerns did not affect the province’s decision to proceed independently. He assured that engagement with Indigenous groups is ongoing and positive. Additionally, the omnibus bill includes provisions for tidal energy licensing flexibility and adjustments to the Gas Distribution Act, allowing for a transition to low-carbon fuels by utility companies like Eastward Energy, which is moving away from fossil fuels through hydrogen blending.