ECOALERT MAG-SPRING 2016

CONSERVATION COUNCIL OF NEW BRUNSWICK SPRING 2016 PAGE 4 WHAT SHOULD NB’S WATER STRATEGY DO? Classify rivers Protect groundwater Involve citizensPublication Poste-Mail publications 40050411MARINE PROTECTED AREAS • FRACKING MORATORIUM • RENEWABLE ENERGY

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS editorialPRESIDENT BY LOIS CORBETTLiane Thibodeau Commission throws down the gauntletDIRECTORS for N.B.’s clean energy transitionJohn Bird The report from the New BrunswickStephanie Coburn Commission on HydraulicJohn Crompton Fracturing gives us moreSusan Eddy evidence that our governmentHannah Grant made the smart policy decision byFrank Johnston putting a moratorium in place. TheScott Kidd Commissioners also throw down theDavid MacDonald gauntlet for us to start transitioning to aTyler McCready thriving low-carbon economy.Rob MoirOwen Taylor On Feb. 26 the three-member “Renewables are poised to seize the crucialPaula Tippett Commission — which described itself top spot in global power supply growth,Jessica Vihvelin as citizen-led — released its report. The but this is hardly time for complacency. Commission had been given a year to Governments must remove the question STAFF complete a fact-finding mission in order marks over renewables if these technologies to assess whether the province could are to achieve their full potential, and put ourEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR meet the conditions it placed on the energy system on a more secure, sustainable fracking moratorium that was signed into path.”Lois Corbett law in June 2015. The Commission’s report should help In preparing their report, the N.B. turn the page on the tired frackingPROGRAM STAFF Commissioners met with 228 people discussion and get the real work, building (including yours truly and Stephanie the components of a clean energy transition,Matt Abbott, Fundy Baykeeper Merrill on behalf of CCNB) and received underway.Blair Cox, Marketing 135 submissions from the public and The report also makes it clear that NewRonald Fournier, Translator groups. Brunswick’s system for protecting theTracy Glynn, Forest Conservation The Commissioners rightly point out environment and regulating energy projectsNadine Ives, Learning Outside Coordinator in their report that the world shifted is prone to conflicts of interest, both real andJon MacNeill, Communications with the signing of the first universal perceived. The Commissioners say Nation-Stephanie Merrill, On Leave climate agreement and that the best to-Nation relationships with First NationInka Milewski, Science Advisor opportunities for jobs and economic communities are sorely lacking and that theJustine Spits, Translator growth are now coming from clean public has low confidence in government’s energy and energy efficiency. Energy regulations and ability to protect drinkingADMINISTRATION efficiency, especially, has long been water. They say they believe a significant recognized as a tool for creating jobs and number of New Brunswickers share theStephanie Phillips keeping electricity affordable. Commissioners’ desire to “begin the transition We agree with the Commission that, to a new economic and environmental reality.”INTERNS in order to fulfill our duty to the rest of The moratorium, enacted in law in June Canada and the world on climate change, 2015, was the smart public policy decisionNajat Abdou-McFarland New Brunswick must transition away from then and it will remain the right public policyOlivia DeYoung the old-world economies of resource well into the future. The CommissionersKaryn MacPherson extraction and into a new era built around outline the crossroads our province — andPascale Lea Ouellette new technology and driven by clean the world at large — is facing, and it’s energy. hard to imagine a future for new shale For advertising inquiries or to subscribe to Solar is one renewable technology that gas development in a world committed to ecoalert, please contact us at: is gaining some serious ground. Just protecting our families from climate change. [email protected] last month the American Solar Energy Our best bet for creating jobs right now in or telephone us at 458-8747 Industries Association (SEIA) announced New Brunswick is through energy efficiency that new solar power capacity outpaced and clean power technology. That’s the road GRAPHIC DESIGN the new generating capacity of natural we need to take, and it’s the road that doesn’t gas in 2015 in the U.S. put our drinking water or communities’ health Stacy Howroyd, [email protected] Interestingly enough, the International at risk. Energy Association — not your average EcoAlert Magazine is printed on FSC certified left-wing think tank — also took note of LOIS CORBETT is Executivepaper with vegetable-based inks. Learn more the rise of renewable technologies. Its Director of the Conservationabout FSC’s strict environmental and social October 2015 annual markets report said Council of New Brunswickstandards at ca.fsc.org. that renewable energy will represent the largest single source of electricity If you prefer to only receive EcoAlert in our growth over the next five years, driven byconvenient digital edition (available for free falling costs and aggressive expansionanytime on our website and accessible on in emerging economies. IEA Executiveall your devices), please email us at info@ Director Fatih Birol said at the time thatconservationcouncil.ca. 1

marineMarine Protected Areas: Working for everyoneThe Fundy Baykeeper explains how new protections for the Bay of Fundy can preserve this critical ecosystem while also supporting the sustainable activities that coastal communities rely upon Story by Matt Abbott, on patrol for Fundy Baykeeper.Photo: Nick Hawkins CCNBThe Bay of Fundy is on the Cold water currents, and the small feed animals they bring with them, are not aslist to receive Marine predictable as they once were; big rains Protected Area status. lead to big runoffs of “tea-coloured” water The Bay of Fundy is a from rivers that starve important marineThe federal government plans to increase Special Place. plants of sunlight; and puffins, whales,protected marine and coastal areas in and other animals have not been able toCanada from the current coverage of 1.3 find the food they have relied on for eons.per cent to 10 per cent by 2020. Productive coastal regions such as the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine are more Establishing new MPAs in the bay can play important now than ever in an ocean that isa part in protecting this dynamic ecosystem changing fast in the face of climate change.and sustaining our coastal fishing andtourism economies. By heading off harmful It is critical that we act now to help thefuture industrial activities and protecting bay remain resilient and productive in theproductive areas, we help ensure these face of these changes. We have seen riversimportant spaces continue to produce the like the Petitcodiac and St Croix opened tofood and nutrients that are critical for the allow fish passage; we’ve seen impressivegreater Gulf of Maine ecosystem and that cleanups of underwater debris — especiallysustain hundreds of coastal communities in “ghost traps” (lost fishing gear); and we’vethe Maritimes and New England. seen cities like Saint John clean up its of years, and it can continue to do so for waste management system to keep sewage The Bay of Fundy is a special place. generations to come. out of our coastal waters. We’ve also seenWalking on a long beach at low tide; poking As described above, the Bay of Fundy significant efforts from within the traditionalaround tide pools to see what critters are produces and sustains marine life on an fishery, including conservation measureshiding within; the sight and sound of a exceptional scale. Its famous tides act like a like a seasonal closure for scallop draggingwhale coming up for a breath; watching an giant nutrient pump sending vast quantities of to protect lobster nursery areas, and aimpressive tidal bore running right through plankton to the greater Gulf of Maine system. policy requiring fishers to throw back egg-Moncton and Dieppe; the sight of seabirds This nutrient-rich ecosystem attracts several bearing (berried) and small lobster.fishing at sea or shore birds enjoying thebounty of the coastal mudflats; the taste species of large whales, porpoises, dolphins, Marine Protected Areas are another keyof scallops, lobster, or dulse plucked fresh seals, and many kinds of fish, sharks, birds, way governments, environmental groups,from the water – all these things attest scallops, clams, and crustaceans such and other stakeholders can help protectto the bounty and beauty of the bay. The as lobster and krill. It’s also under a lot of important ecological areas. Indeed, aftercelebrated ecosystem has sustained pressure. conducting research that showed thecommunities in what is now New Brunswick, Musquash Estuary ( just west of SaintNova Scotia and Maine for thousands Just like the Gulf of Maine, the Bay of Fundy John) is the last relatively intact and is facing severe stress from climate change. 2 ecoalert SPRING 2016

pristine estuary in the Bay of Fundy, CCNB, First Phase of Small-Scale 48 Years of Transmissionalong with the Fundy North Fishermen’s Renewables Program & Distribution GridAssociation, proposed Musquash Estuary as a Underway ExperienceMarine Protected Area. The MPA was officiallyestablished in 2006, and will celebrate its 10th Here’s an update to our December article Grid Tied Systemsanniversary this year. on NB’s new renewable energy regulations. Off Grid Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can take As required by the new law, NB Powermany shapes. There can be one large MPA in a issued its first call for locally-owned small- Home Energy Assessmentsgiven area, or there can be a series of smaller scale renewable energy projects. Gas Tankless Hot WaterMPAs designed to protect particular habitats First Nation communities were invitedor animals. While MPAs can prohibit fishing, to submit plans to NB Power under the Heat Pumpsmany don’t or only have small closed areas. For Community Renewable Energy – First Engineering Servicesexample, the Musquash MPA, currently the only Nations Opportunity, which is the firstMPA in the Bay of Fundy, includes provisions to phase of the government’s Locally-Owned Consultingallow commercial fishing and other activities in Renewable Energy Small Scale (LORESS) Designspecific areas. An MPA isn’t necessarily a no-go Program. Saleszone, it is rather a tool to protect special and NB Power will issue another call, this oneimportant places. for municipalities, co-operatives and not-for Installation With its rich biodiversity, there’s no question profits, in January 2017. First Nations arethe Bay of Fundy is a candidate for more invited to submit their proposals by 3 p.m. on Contact Mark Todayprotection. If this is going to happen, though, April 29.it must be done in a way that protects the [email protected] from emerging threats such as increased Energy and Mines Minister Donald Arseneaultfossil fuel exports and climate change while Energy and Mines Minister Donald +1.506 461 5221maintaining sustainable economic activities like Arseneault said the announcement was “an www.mjmsolar.cominshore fisheries and marine tourism. important step in creating the conditions for For this to happen, it is critical that DFO rely sustainable economic development in Newon scientific knowledge as well as traditional Brunswick and its First Nations communities.”knowledge from First Nation and fishing The Minister said the projects, up to 40communities. It is also critical — and this is a megawatts in total, will provide a foundationtricky part — that powerful players such as the from which the province can meet its goal ofoil and gas sector and the under-regulated seeing 40 per cent of energy generated inaquaculture industry be welcomed to the the province come from renewables by 2020.table (as actors in the Bay), but not be allowed In December, New York Governor Andrewto weaken protection to the point that it is Cuomo directed the state’s regulators tomeaningless. come up with a plan to reach 50 percent As a champion of the Bay of Fundy for renewables by 2030.decades, CCNB remains right in the thick of Details about NB Power’s request forthings on MPAs. We see great opportunity, expression of interest can be obtained fromand we understand the concerns of traditional the New Brunswick Opportunities Networkfishers that MPAs could end up hurting the website at onbcanada.ca or https://nbon-people most invested in protecting the bay. New rpanb.gnb.ca.MPAs should be designed in such a way thatthey don’t unduly harm small local businessesand that they don’t allow large industrial playersto carry on with business as usual. 3 www.conservationcouncil.ca

Talking about theimportance of water CCNB Comms Director Jon MacNeill sits down with Stephanie Merrilland Lois Corbett to talk shop about water protection in New BrunswickBy Jon MacNeill I need to start by telling you this story. On I’ve heard this from her before, of course. on coastal and wetland protection — butFeb. 29, our executive director, my boss, But this time it seemed special. Both they’ve all been pieces. Imagine if, atcame to that sweet spot on the second Corbett and Merrill were analysing every the end of this policy development era,floor at Conserver House — in the hall right sentence, breaking apart every paragraph, the government agreed to work withbetween my office and our Freshwater looking for both positive steps forward or communities and watershed groups toProgram Director, Stephanie Merrill’s office, possible pitfalls. develop integrated watershed protectionwith that classic Corbett, ‘ooh I got some Dear reader, it was like watching an plans — that should be considered as agreat news’ smile. intense hockey game. Corbett would yell final, and great, outcome of this policy Lucky (for me), Stephanie was on from her office, ‘Look at fourth paragraph, process.a conference call — dealing with a page 10.’ Merrill would say, ‘Yeah saw MacNeill: You mentioned that thewatershed caucus meeting. So I got the that…’ Then Merrill would go into Corbett’s principles to guide water protectionnews first. office and two minutes later I’d hear the decision-making may not be adequate Corbett told me that on the very next classic, ‘MacNeill — get in here.’ yet. What do you mean?day, the provincial environment minister Yelp.would be releasing his government’s new This is backing into my story. As a Corbett: Two areas I think can easily bediscussion paper, which lays out the vision journalist, I always want to give you the addressed through public consultation andand guiding principles of a provincial water who, what, where, when, and especially direct conversation between governmentsprotection strategy. Its contents align so the why, part of environmental news. This — and in the latter case I mean First Nationsvery closely with what CCNB has been time I depart. I wanted to ask these two and the government of N.B. One is therecommending for years. fantastic water policy experts what they concept of precaution. Everyone is familiar She also told me to drop everything I was think about this new strategy. I know you with the oath that doctors take — first,doing, get ready to respond, use Facebook are as interested in their responses as do no harm. The precautionary principleand our Twitter account to help inform New me. (P.S.: I did not give them these Qs in is a similar approach and quite usual inBrunswickers immediately about what the advance) governments working to protect water. Itgovernment was up to and why it was so — Jon MacNeill, Editor means that despite not knowing everythingimportant. (in this case, aspects like environmental flow regimes, the impact of climate change on MacNeill: What’s good about what you Finally, the Department has laid out results water chemistry, or the cumulative impactsee in the government’s draft document, and outcomes it hopes to achieve once of pollution loading), the government willWorking Together to Build a Water the strategy gets approved. use precaution — err on the side of doing noStrategy for New Brunswick? And, what Merrill: I like the way it addresses harm — in making decisions.don’t you like? protecting water at a watershed level. Corbett: The vision is strongly worded. We’ve had pieces of integrated watershed I have been looking at the five draftThe principles it proposes to guide future management over the years — including principles and have been weighing howdecision-making with respect to protecting protecting drinking water, a failed attempt consultation and dialogue with First Nationswatersheds in N.B. are sound, although at science-based river classification, will guide water decision-making. On onewe may need a couple of additional ones. lake classification and some thoughts hand, you could argue that it is embedded in each. On the other hand, you can argue that this principle is so important it deserves 4 ecoalert SPRING 2016

to stand alone, or alternatively, it should be Find a link to the full discussion Policy Talkincorporated into the vision statement. We’ll paper on our website.be consulting with First Nations to see how „ W e met with Minister of Natural Resourcesthey want to approach it. in the water protection strategy Jim Carr in January to discuss the job Merrill: I’m also interested in whether or Corbett: The test of the discussion opportunities for New Brunswick throughnot it is possible to “drill down” on exactly paper will really be in its next chapter — energy efficiency, the federal government’swhat the government means when it states which will no doubt summarize what the plans to improve the office of the Nationalthese broad goals and principles. Is it merely government heard from its residents, clearly Energy Board, and issues with thea re-affirmation of where we were about 10 detail the extent to which rivers, lakes and management of NB’s Crown Forest.years ago, or is it new thinking, incorporating groundwater is threatened, and point outthe best in Canada to date? And then big what other data it needs (groundwater „ We met with Environment Minister Brianquestion is — what’s next? mapping, for example) to fully protect it. We Kenny in March to discuss ways NB can MacNeill: So – what is next? If this is then move into the the legislative phase — “punch above its weight class” on climatea good foundation, what do you think how the government proposes to enshrine protection, especially on job creation frommakes up the next steps moving forward its strategy in modern law. investments in energy efficiency and cleanto build a good watershed protection energy, and adapting to our changingstrategy for N.B.? climate. Merrill: CCNB recently completed a „ W e met with officials from the Premier’sreview of water strategies in nine Canadian Office, the Dept. of Environment and Dept.provinces and two territories. We believe of Intergovernmental Affairs several timesa comprehensive water strategy for New between January and March to move NewBrunswick will: Brunswick’s climate change file forward in ♦ b e science-based, involving baseline the lead-up to the First Ministers Meeting in early March. data, cumulative impacts, e-flows (the minimum amount of water required „ O ur Science Advisor and Fundy to sustain aquatic life in rivers and Baykeeper each wrote letters to Minister streams) and be tailored to each of the 13 of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian watersheds in N.B. Coast Guard Hunter Tootoo asking him ♦ s et goals for water quality objectives to repeal the controversial Aquaculture ♦ be enforceable, within a modern legal Activities Regulations (AAR) which were framework implemented by the previous federal ♦ be transparent, involving consultations government despite overwhelming with First Nations and citizens opposition from marine stakeholders ♦ b e accountable, involving monitoring across Canada. and regular reporting to the public on the progress of goals and objectives outlined Woodstock | Fredericton | Moncton Saint John | Bathurst | Halifax HEAT PUMP OPTIONS: Central Heat Pump Geo ThermalSavings ® Properly installed heat pumps Mini Splitsby certified red seal technicians, 60%could save you up to of your heating costs. Call us Toll Free at 1-800-567-344R0ecreatedPMS HELPING YOU SAVE MONEY!www.valleyrefrigeration.ca 5 www.conservationcouncil.ca

2014 N.B.’s moratorium on fracking: It was the smart public policy decision. Leaders in New Brunswick voted for a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing exactly one year ago this March. And good thing. In the months since, we’ve only seen more scientific evidence and new public health problems that prove our government made the responsible decision by protecting our health and drinking water from fracking. Here are 10 of those reasons. By Jon MacNeill1 New Yorkers say no to fracking on Dec. 17, just one day before N.B.’s moratorium was announced. Governor Andrew Cuomo declared the state- wide ban on hydraulic fracturing based on two reports: the Health Commission’s review and the Department of Environmental Conservation’s seven-year process to fully and exhaustively evaluate the environmental impacts of this activity. State officials formally sign the ban into law in June, stating “there are no feasible or prudent alternatives that would adequately avoid or minimize adverse environmental impacts and that address the scientific uncertainties and risks to public health from this activity.”2 The EPA weighs in with the definitive finding that fracking has caused “impacts on drinking water resources, including contamination of drinking water wells” in its long-awaited draft study on the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water, released in June. The study’s general finding that no widespread contamination took place is now being refuted by the EPA’s own 31-member Science Advisory Board, who issued a statement in January saying that conclusion was “inconsistent with the observations, data, and levels of uncertainty.”3 The economic-benefit argument of shale gas in N.B. bottomed out in January when SWN Resources, the Texas-based shale gas operator with the bulk of exploration rights in N.B., laid off 1,100 workers as the price of natural gas sank to its lowest mark in more than a decade. The company had already laid off 102 people in August. As of the beginning of this year, SWN has no drilling rigs in operation. On March 16, the company shuttered its Moncton office, citing “uncertainty over the timetable” for gas development in N.B. Officials said SWN will now oversee N.B. operations from Houston.4 The environmental case for shale gas got a whole lot shakier in August when the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission confirmed that a 4.6-magnitude earthquake felt in the province the previous summer was caused by fluid injection during hydraulic fracturing, making it one of the world’s largest earthquakes triggered by fracking. In January of this year, a 4.8 quake near Fox Creek, Atla. prompted Alberta’s energy regulator to indefinitely shut down a nearby hydraulic fracturing operation.5 Smart N.B. became open for renewable energy business in September when the provincial government unveiled new regulations for community renewable energy projects. The regulations will help make sure we get at least 40 per cent of our electricity from clean, renewable sources by laying out the criteria for how co-ops, First Nations, non-profit groups and local communities can lead the charge to create jobs and reduce carbon pollution with solar, wind and tidal installations. In January, Bloomberg New Energy Finance issued 10 years of data that concluded renewable investments have outpaced investments in fossil fuel infrastructure world-wide. 6 ecoalert SPRING 2016

One of the largest gas leaks in US history turned the world’s attention6 to the pollution and health hazards of natural gas operations. In October 2015 a massive gas well leak began in a vast underground storage field in Porter Ranch, on the outskirts of Los Angeles. The governor declared a State of Emergency and more than 6,000 families were forced from their homes after residents reported headaches, nausea, nosebleeds and dizziness. The leak was permanently sealed on Feb. 19, 2016. The California Air Resources Board estimates 94,100 metric tonnes of methane escaped during the four-month leak, equal to burning more than 862 million gallons of gasoline and pushing up the state’s total annual methane emissions by around six per cent. As of this writing, the resource board says it will be several weeks before final figures are known. The disaster prompted the governor of California to direct state agencies to study the long-term viability of natural gas storage facilities, both from a safety and climate change perspective.7 N.B.’s fracking moratorium makes sense — that was the key message from one of Canada’s leading groundwater monitoring experts when he delivered a public lecture in Fredericton this November. Dr. John Cherry, who was Chair of the Council of Canadian Academies’ panel that evaluated the environmental impacts of shale gas extraction for Environment Canada, told New Brunswickers that there isn’t enough evidence to justify a science-based decision to proceed with fracking in Atlantic Canada. “It makes sense to continue the moratorium into the future,” Dr. Cherry said, concluding that “the east coast, and New Brunswick, is not suitable for experimentation.”8 Paris is the new black. Countries around the world are now cooperating like never before to protect our families from climate change with the signing of the first-ever universal climate agreement at the UN Climate Summit in Paris last December. Hundreds of world leaders, including Premier Brian Gallant, attended the summit, where nearly 200 nations agreed to “hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels.” This means Canadian provinces must join our global allies in launching ambitious plans to begin the low-carbon transition.9 No other industry could get away with putting drinking water at such risk — that’s one take-away from a February 2016 study from Stanford University on the potential for fracking operations to contaminate local water supplies. “We have found a number of homes near active wells with very high levels of natural gas in the tap water,” lead author Robert Jackson said of the findings. Jackson said most documented cases of groundwater contamination were caused by poorly constructed wells, adding, “we found a surprising number of places where companies are fracking directly into shallow freshwater aquifers. In no other industry would you be allowed to inject chemicals into a source of drinking-quality water.”10 NB Commission on Commission du N-B sur la “We believe a significant number of New Brunswickers share ourHYDRAULICFRACTURING FRACTURATIONHYDRAULIQUE desire to begin the transition to a new economic and environmental reality.”That’s how the New Brunswick Commission on Hydraulic Fracturing threw down the gauntlet for NB to get serious about creating a low-carbon economy in its long-awaited report on fracking, out February 2016. “The world is shifting,” the commissioners wrote, saying, “New Brunswick needs to increase its use of renewable energy, practise greater energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions” as we transition towards “integrated energy systems that will be supported by a variety of advanced technologies, most ofNEW BRUNSWICK COMMISSION ONHYDRAULIC FRACTURING – VOLUME IThe Findings which will not require fossil fuels.” NB Commission on Commission du N-B sur la FEBRUARY 2016 HYDRAULIC FRACTURING FRACTURATION HYDRAULIQUEA 2016FEBRUARY2016 / NBCOMMISSIONONHYDRAULICFRACTURING–VOLUMEITHEFINDINGS It’s still the smart decision today. 7 www.conservationcouncil.ca

Winds of ChangeNaveco Power opening door for New Brunswickers toinvest in renewable energy projects in their communityAmit Virmani has a vision for New with a New York-based inventor. because Ontario is offering a high power Brunswick, and he wants you to He’s looking for 10 New Brunswickers who purchase agreement (PPA) rate, meaning be part of it. share his vision for jumpstarting renewable early investors get a solid 7-10 per centThe Fredericton entrepreneur projects in the province to put $50,000 return.launched Naveco each in the company New Brunswick isn’t offering a high rate,Power in December to as founding investors. but, because Naveco is being set up as abecome the province’s The investment CEDC, New Brunswickers who invest canfirst Community Virmani is seeking would also net them claim 50 per cent of every dollar against theirEconomic Development investors for his first a Quantum turbine for provincial taxes.Corporation (CEDC) their home, camp or Even though the likely PPA is poor here,aimed at building project, a vertical-axis cottage. Virmani says the math has been done (basedlarge-scale renewable wind turbine dubbed The founding on the investor tax credit offered by N.B.) toenergy projects in New investors also make show that what New Brunswickers will saveBrunswick. the ‘Quantum’ that it possible to reach from the tax break is comparable in value to “No one has done Naveco helped develop the long-term goal of the high rate of return offered in Ontario.this here yet,” Virmani and commercialize by lowering the minimum “We’re asking these founding shareholderssays over breakfast investment to — help us get started manufacturing theone recent morning in partnering with a New $5,000, allowing for turbine we already have right here in N.B.,downtown Fredericton. York-based inventor. broader community and do more R&D, create even better and participation. bigger versions — and then let’s just go“It’s been done in conquer the world with it, based out of NewOntario. It’s been done If he can attract Brunswick,” Virmani says, adding that anyonein Alberta, in Nova Scotia, in Quebec. But these visionaries by the end of the year, earning more than $50,000/year would see ahere, no one had created a way for all New Virmani says he’ll be able to take Naveco tax benefit from investing in Naveco.Brunswickers to invest in a multimillion- from its current workforce of three people The Quantum is a 6KW vertical-axis turbinedollar megaproject to build something like (which is impressive on its own for a three- with an innovative design. Most vertical-axisa wind farm or solar farm, and then be able month-old company) and employ upwards turbines are effectively working againstto say, ‘I was a part of that big dream, of of 16 people in manufacturing the turbines themselves half the time. But the Quantum3changing New Brunswick.’” here in New Brunswick and in research is equipped with diffusers that funnel the and development at our universities to wind into the blades in such a way that theyEnter Naveco Power. continuously improve the technology and never work against themselves. The diffusers also mean it generates power efficientlyThere are two sides to the business: a scale it up from residential to utility-level from low or strong winds blowing from anydevelopment company looking to create direction, without making a sound.community-owned wind farms, solar power generation. One of the turbine’s best features is howfarms and other large renewable projects, scalable it is. Right now, Naveco is focusingand a venture capital fund for investing Virmani is confident this model will work on selling the 6KW version, but that’s only ain renewable technologies that will be here because it has proven successful stepping stone to developing a utility-scaledeveloped, designed and built in New already in Canada. In Ontario, for example, megawatt version.Brunswick. co-operatives used similar models to drive “When it gets to that point, then we’re renewable investments from individuals, talking about a workforce that could easilyRight now Virmani is seeking investors for with one group, Solar Share, raising $15-million in bonds and launching 34 solarhis first project, a vertical-axis wind turbine systems since founding in 2011.dubbed the ‘Quantum’ that Naveco helpeddevelop and commercialize by partnering Here’s the rub: Virmani says groups like Solar Share have been so successful 8 ecoalert SPRING 2016

Photo: Jon MacNeill camp, cottage, or as a back-up at home. New Brunswic k He recently secured a conditionalbe 100-150 people building these things in purchase order for several units after Who else is in theNew Brunswick.” taking the Quantum to the Globe 2016 renewables game in N.B.? In December, Virmani unveiled the Quantum Conference & Innovation Expo infor the first time in New Brunswick through Vancouver. Here are just a few of the companiesa partnership with Falls Brook Centre and Back at the cafe, it takes Virmani about an in New Brunswick working to spreadThe Ville Cooperative. The turbine is up and hour to polish off a small breakfast — he’s renewable energy across the province.running producing clean energy at The Ville’s too distracted talking about what Navecobuilding on Canada Street in Fredericton. Power is today and what it could be 12 • MJM Solar Solutions is a solar The unit can be grid-tied and also has a months from now. energy company led by Marcbuilt-in battery bank allowing for about 12Kwh He comes from entrepreneurial stock — McCann. Their most popular productof storage. Virmani notes there are lots of Virmani’s father, who emigrated to Canada is smart micro-inverter systemsopportunities to create different versions, with his grandfather in 1967, launched which allow individual monitoringtoo, such as a net-metered model without Interactive Computer Systems Ltd. out of for each panel to ensure maximumthe need for storage, or integrating newer Fredericton, a business that’s been going solar energy capture. Learn more:storage technologies such as lithium ion strong for nearly 40 years and employed mjmsolar.combatteries. some 40 people at its peak. Virmani says the current model is ideal for Seeing the potential of Naveco Power, his • Fundy Solar in South-East NewNew Brunswickers who want to displace the family has invested upwards of $250,000 Brunswick, is a solar energyuse of a diesel generator at their hunting into the company to date. Now, Virmani is company. The solar installer behind turning to the people of this province to the company, Woody Thompson, has join his vision and take it to the next level. led solar power workshops through “The team I’ve built, all of us come from the environmental NGO, Eos Energy. across the political spectrum, but we The workshops were built on bulk can all get behind this because it makes buying, so that workshop participants economic sense,” he says. were able to complete solar hot “It’s not often that you get to invest in water installations at a reduced rate. your community in something you really Learn more: fundysolar.com believe in, where there is actually a real shot of making the changes you want to • Energy Systems and Designs Ltd is see in your community.” a small micro-hydro manufacturing company in the Sussex area. TheCGEnjoy year round Comfort The company generally sells to off- grid and rural homes. Learn more: Climate microhydropower.com Guys • Clear Power Solutions is a Saintwhile Saving up to 60% John-based corporation which has products in solar panels, off-gridon your electric inverters and accessories, solar charge controllers, solar hot waterheating & cooling bill! and grid-tie inverters. Learn more: clearpowersolutions.com With over 20 years of experience,fully licensed and insured, you will be • L aforge Bioenvironmental ismaking an investment for your family a biogas plant near St. André. The plant is comprised of two and the environment. biodigesters converting agricultural waste into methane, which is thenContact the Guys today to arrange converted into electricity. The your consultation in the operation has two grids that produce Fredericton Area a total of 1.6 MW. The operation sells 95 per cent of its power back (506) 261-5536 to the grid at a rate of a little over www.facebook.com/theclimateguys/ 10 ¢ Kw/h through a 20-year power purchase agreement. Learn more: completesenergy.com Check out the Renewables Solutions NB project on our website to learn how we’re helping New Brunswick communities make the clean energy transition. Find inspiration for your own project at RenewablesNB.ca, an initiative of CCNB and our partners to profile small-scale renewables projects in the province. 9 www.conservationcouncil.ca

Behind the Scenes At Conserver HouseAdapting to climate change in Fredericton We’re pleased to report that we’ve been able to secure funding for a new climate change-related project. Through generous funding from the Intact Foundation we will work with residents of Fredericton to increase awareness about climate change and adaption to our changing climate. The foundation’s charitable mandate is to “help make our cities, communities and infrastructure resilient to extreme weather” by investing in programs that help Canadians adapt to the long- lasting effects of climate change.What goes around comes around Equip Pro-Bono never This! looked so good When Conserver House was first retrofitted in theearly 1980s, a young Joe Waugh led the project team Mountain We love our volunteer lawyers-— an enthusiastic collection of trades people and Equipment Co-op in-training. The Conservation Councileducators — and turned the old Press Club building has generously has benefited over the past three years fromat 180 St. John St. in Fredericton into a top-drawer funded a capacity- assistance from the national Pro-Bono Studentsdemonstration of energy efficiency for business and building project for Canada. PBSC has chapters at all 21 law schoolshomeowners. Thirty years later Joe is helping us the Conservation in Canada. Its law student volunteers serveagain — we’re readying a plan to not only re-invest Council. Usually communities from coast to coast, working toin Conserver House’s efficiency, but also build more rare than the increase access to justice by offering high quality,out using new green and locally-sourced building Canadian Lynx in NB professional legal assistance. PBSC has threematerials and renewable energy technologies — and — capacity funding, key objectives:help demonstrate the cost savings to the community that is — MEC’sonce again. support funding will 1 To provide law students with volunteer help CCNB modernize opportunities to develop their legal skillsKaryn and Olivia its communication and outreach capability 2 To have a positive impact on the legal CCNB Interns Connect with in both official profession by promoting the value of pro their Neighbours languages. bono service to the next generation of lawyers With support from the province’s YouthEmployment Fund, we employed Karyn, Olivia and 3 To increase access to justice across Canada.Pascale (aka KOP) to survey Capital City residents This year, Alana, Matthew and Trisha helped usabout their awareness of energy efficiency, climate slog through the National Energy Board filingschange and their municipality’s approach to from TransCanada with respect to the Energyenvironmental issues, including waste reduction. East pipeline, paying special attention to liabilityWhile here, our intrepid threesome also built and emergency response issues.Conserver House’s first pollinator garden, (with Photo: Jon MacNeill CCNBgenerous funding from the Fredericton CommunityFoundation) and received on-the-job training about Photo by Nick Hawkinsthe non-profit sector, interviewing techniques anddata analysis. NB Power also contributed funding Spraying the Crown Forestfor this important project, and we thank all of oursponsors. Conserver House played host to two important planning meetings in February. Members of the New Brunswick Environmental Network’s Crown Forest Caucus steering committee joined us to plan next steps in our quest to develop new legislation guiding decision-making for our shared public forest. Later in the month, citizens concerned about the impact of spraying the Crown Forest met to exchange information and lessons learned from other jurisdictions that have already banned the practice. 10 ecoalert SPRING 2016

Rail vs Pipeline: The Wrong DebateThere is a debate playing out The economic case for further By Pascale Lea Ouellette across Canada right now in coffee investment in fossil fuel infrastructure the country’s overall GHG emissions between shops, around boardrooms and has lost momentum. The low (and 32 and 126 Mt. Paired with investments in at dinner tables: what is the best still dropping) price of oil, the rapidly public transportation and high speed rail,way to move oil over long distances? The dropping cost of renewable energy these four moves would create more thanthing is, the high profile rail accidents and technology, and the imperative to act on than one million clean energy jobs in Canadapipeline spills in recent years that sparked the new global climate agreement signed in just five years.this discussion fail to support one side last December in Paris all point toward Considering these factors, it’s clear that theof the argument or the other — instead, a much different, less centralized, more pipeline vs. rail debate is missing the biggerthey only show us that both modes of diverse and resilient energy system in picture. Canadians shouldn’t be arguing overtransportation are dangerous. Too often the near future. Statistics Canada’s 2015 the best way to do the wrong thing — welost in this debate is the real question payroll survey shows that Alberta had should be working on innovative solutionsCanadians should be lost approximately to reduce our need for fossil fuels and theasking: How do we 63,500 jobs risky methods of transporting them in the firstreduce our need for approaching place, and focusing on how we can rapidlymoving dangerous The low (and still dropping) October. advance energy efficiency and renewablefossil fuels in the first price of oil, the rapidly Unemployment energy uptake across our country.place? dropping cost of renewable rates hit a two-year There are three high in January as Myth Bustingkey factors to energy technology, and another 5,700 jobskeep in mind when the imperative to act on were cut. FICTION: TransCanada claims thatconsidering the the new global climate The silver lining is refineries in Eastern Canada import 86 perrail vs. pipeline that we could get cent of their daily volume from overseasdebate. First, those people back countries such as Saudi Arabia, Nigeria,that transporting agreement signed last to work at good Venezuela and Algeria. The company saysfossil fuels such December in Paris all point paying jobs in the its pipeline will allow Canadian refineries toas bitumen is energy sector — just replace these foreign imports with diluteddangerous because toward a much different, a different kind of bitumen from Alberta and Saskatchewan.the product being less centralized, more energy. While fossil FACT: Statistics Canada’s internationalmoved is dangerous; fuel companies trade data shows that only 14.1 per cent ofsecond, that the diverse and resilient energy are shedding jobs, Eastern Canada’s oil imports come fromeconomic case for system in the near future. renewables have the four countries TransCanada constantlyfurther investments posted back- recites: Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Venezuelain fossil fuel to-back record- and Algeria. Data from Statistics Canadainfrastructure is only breaking years in also shows that more than 50 per cent ofgoing to get weaker in a world committed terms of money invested in the sector the crude oil imported into New Brunswickto tackling climate change; and third, that and new renewable capacity coming and Quebec between January-August 2014the best opportunities for job creation and online, according to a 2016 report came from the United States. The vesseleconomic growth in the 21st century are from Bloomberg Business. Blue Green activity report for Canaport in Saint Johncoming from the clean energy sector. Canada says 15 jobs are created for shows a steady stream of tankers coming every $1-million invested in renewable from the U.S. According to the activity No matter how you slice it, moving oil energy compared to only two jobs report, between January and February 2016— especially unconventional oil such as created from the same investment in the the Saint John port received The Daytonadiluted bitumen from the oilsands — is fossil fuel sector. Clean Energy Canada’s from Corpus Christi, TX, The Genmar Elektrarisky business. Shipping by rail tends to 2014 report, Tracking the Clean Energy from Port Neches, TX, The Advantage Atomresult in a greater frequency of accidents Revolution, confirmed that the number of from New Orleans, and The Umlma fromand spills, while pipeline leaks tend people working in clean energy jobs in Port Neches, TX.to involve much larger volumes. New Canada surpasses those working in theBrunswick experienced three tanker car oil sands, at 23,700 people in renewablesderailments between January 2014 and compared to 22,340 in the patch — andApril 2015, two incidents in Edmundston those figures are from before the recentand one in Wapske, near Plaster Rock. spate of fossil fuel-related job losses inThey involved several derailed tanker Alberta.cars carrying crude oil and propane whichcaught fire. No one was injured. There In January 2016, the Canadian Labourhave been no pipeline accidents over Congress updated its roadmap formainland New Brunswick because there tackling climate change and creatingare no pipelines shipping oil through the jobs. It states that by investing $23.3province (TransCanada’s Energy East billion in public renewable energy overpipeline would be the first). Yet the spill at five years, Canada could create 290,000Kalamazoo River in Michigan in July 2010 jobs, while reducing Canada’s overallprovides a good example of what could GHG emissions between 44-110 Mt. Byhappen. More than one million gallons of investing $30 billion to increase thediluted bitumen from the oil sands spilled energy efficiency of Canada’s buildinginto the river, resulting in the costliest stock (i.e. residential, commercial, publiconshore cleanup in U.S. history, with a buildings) over a five-year period, wepricetag of $767-million — upwards of could generate another 438,000 jobs,$29,000 per barrel. which, at the same time, would reduce 11 www.conservationcouncil.ca

ecobriefs Live Wild — celebrating Banner year for renewables — New Brunswick’s natural heritage but not in Canada (yet) The Conservation Council is proud to participate in a new collaborative to raise Clean Energyawareness and appreciation of the plants and animals that make New Brunswick Canada hasbeautiful and wild. Live Wild — Together for New Brunswick Biodiversity issued alaunched in January as an initiative of the New Brunswick Environmental “wake-up call”Network. For more than 46 years, CCNB has advocated for nature and the wide for Canada todiversity of life it supports in our province. We also work with teachers, schools keep up withand families through our Learning Outside project to help our children develop its tradinglifelong interest in nature through meaningful outdoor learning experiences. The partners whenLive Wild collaborative will support and enhance our effort in this important work. it comes to renewable Keep the signatures coming energy investments. The petition against herbicide spraying in In a report our Crown forest has been extended. We are released now submitting signatures in three batches Feb. 29, the due to scheduling changes at the Legislative advocacy Assembly. You can download copies of group reported that despite bargain prices on oil, the petition to print, sign, and (if you’d like) coal and gas not seen in a decade, 2015 was a circulate in your community on our website. record-breaking year for worldwide investments The deadline for the first batch is April 10, in clean energy, using figures from international which will be delivered to the legislature agencies and business databases to determine when it resumes sitting. The second batch $497-billion was invested last year — a seven deadline is May 7, and the deadline for the per cent increase over 2014. However, the group third and final batch is Aug. 31. says that while global investments were up, clean energy spending in Canada actually declined Make their Future your Legacy by about half last year. Merran Smith, Executive Director of Clean Energy Canada, told the CBCYour planned gift to the on Feb. 29 the reason for the decline is a lackConservation Council helps of new government-set targets and regulationsNew Brunswick’s most to spur renewable investments. “(Clean energy)e ective environmental doesn’t need subsidies, it needs policies thatorganization create a greener, commit to targets,” Smith said. CCNB advocateshealthier and prosperous way for ambitious renewable targets here in Newof life for the people of our Brunswick through our Renewable Solutions NBprovince, now and for project.generations. Quiet, reliable and cool —Contact us about leaving a Planned Gift to CCNB today rise of the electric vehicle + (506) 458-8747 | [email protected] Bloomberg News is calling it: the 2020s will be the decade of the electric vehicle. Bloomberg’s New Energy Finance division released a new analysis in February showing that sales of electric vehicles (EVs) are on the rise and could wreck oil markets within the next 10 years. Their analysts say battery prices fell 35 per cent last year and are on track to make unsubsidized EVs as affordable as gas-guzzlers in the next six years. What’s more, Bloomberg reports that many large tech companies and nearly every major carmaker are getting behind electric cars. Ford, Volkswagen, Nissan, BMW — even Apple and Google — are looking into how they can make the next generation of plug-in vehicles. Tesla and Chevy plan to sell electric cars in the next few years that hold a range of 200 miles (roughly 320 kilometres) and are priced around $30,000 US. Talk about a game-changer.12 ecoalert SPRING 2016