Download Long-term Energy and Climate Change Issues for Canada

National Round Table on the
Environment and Economy:
Long-term Energy and Climate
Change Issues for Canada
For the regions of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northern
Ontario, and the Atlantic Provinces
Contract number:
NRT-2006105
September 29, 2006
Submitted to:
Kelly Bagg
Acting Manager of Communications
National Round Table on the Environment and the
Economy
Email: [email protected]
Submitted by:
Michelle McLaren
Program Officer, Climate Change and Energy
International Institute for Sustainable Development
E-mail: [email protected]
Table of Contents
Long-term Energy and Climate Change Issues for Canada ........................................................................1
Synopsis – Atlantic Canada ..............................................................................................................................2
Potential Speakers: Atlantic Canada................................................................................................................4
Synopsis – Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northern Ontario ......................................................................6
Potential Speakers: Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northern Ontario........................................................7
Long-term Energy and Climate Change Issues for Canada
On September 7, 2006, the National Round Table on the Environment and Economy (NRTEE) engaged
the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to assist with preparations for two outreach
sessions as part of a ten-city national initiative entitled, Long-term Energy and Climate Change Issues for Canada.
The initiative attempts to launch an extensive dialogue on Canada’s long-term response to energy and
climate change. This dialogue will be part of an effort to continue a study on what a low carbon future for
Canada might look like over the next half century.
In association with this initiative, IISD has undertaken preparations for a meeting to be held in Winnipeg,
covering the region of Manitoba, Northern Ontario, and Saskatchewan, and a meeting to be held in
Moncton for the Atlantic Provinces. IISD has identified local and regional senior stakeholders who could
be invited to these meetings and offer advice on long-term energy and climate change issues facing each
region, including a list of potential speakers on the subject. To further aid in the effectiveness of the
initiative and as per the agreement between NRTEE and IISD, IISD has prepared a synopsis of key topics
that might be addressed at each of these regional meetings based on interviews with key stakeholders and a
review of literature.
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Synopsis – Atlantic Canada
In 2004, Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland)
produced 59.88 million tonnes (Mt) of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, or approximately 8.3 percent of
Canada’s total. 1 Nova Scotia and New Brunswick each produced about 40 percent of these emissions. It is
expected that by 2012, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick will emit about 25 Mt and 23 Mt respectively,
followed by Newfoundland and Labrador at 11 Mt. 2
The Atlantic region faces unique challenges when determining a long-term response to meeting its energy
needs and addressing climate change. The region is highly dependent on a resource-based economy and
use of conventional sources of energy. This situation causes it to be more vulnerable than other parts of
Canada to the economic consequences of adapting to climate change. The high costs expected for the
region in adapting to climate change, coupled with increases in energy demand, indicates the need for a
comprehensive plan for a healthy and prosperous future.
Key issues for the region with respect to a long-term response to energy and climate change are:
Impacts
•
Rising temperatures caused by climate change will expand oceans, while hurricanes and other
extreme weather events are projected to increase in frequency in Atlantic Canada. These changes are
expected to adversely impact components of the energy sector. For example, offshore production
and exploration of fossil fuel may be hindered by sea level rise, tropical cyclones and ocean waves. 3
Electricity transmission infrastructure may be damaged by more frequent extreme weather events
such as ice storms and hurricanes. Such possibilities indicate that a long-term energy strategy is
required which addresses adaptation measures.
Energy supply and demand
•
The Atlantic Provinces are highly dependent on oil (both imported crude and some domestic crude
from local offshore2) for heating purposes and offshore oil drilling and exploration represent a major
source of potential income in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia. However, increases in
the international price of oil could have an effect on the continued and increased inefficient use of
coal.
•
The renewable energy potential in Atlantic Canada is quite high, and plans such as those to develop
the lower Churchill system in Labrador, and adding 80 MW of wind power to the grid by 2012 in
Prince Edward Island2 may become more abundant. To take full advantage of opportunities, a need
for an efficient, cost-effective plan to integrate renewable energy into the regional energy mix is
necessary.
•
The energy system in the Atlantic region, and particularly New Brunswick, are highly integrated into
the United States market. Exports to, and imports from the United States need to be given careful
consideration when dealing with energy demand and supply issues over the long-term.
•
The region needs to take greater advantage of new and existing energy efficiency measures.
Commercial technologies currently not widely employed could be brought into the mainstream
market with the right combination of incentives, education and awareness.
Environment Canada. 2006. National Inventory Report, Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada 1990–2004.
Natural Resources Canada. 2006. Canada’s Energy Outlook: The Reference Case 2006.
3 Environment Canada. 2004. Climate Change and the Canadian Energy Sector: Report on Vulnerability Impact and Adaptation.
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2
2
Education
•
What role should education play (in terms of the school curriculum, and public engagement and
awareness), in the success of a long-term energy and climate change strategy in the Atlantic region?
Support in the form of funding, tools, and programs for education and outreach both in the public
and non-governmental sectors could be considered in the effort to promote behavioural change
toward energy conservation, and demand side management.
Incentives and Regulations
•
What set of incentives and regulations, in conjunction with public education, would work with the
appropriate policy to ensure the effectiveness of a long-term energy and climate change strategy?
Incentives for both the private sector and consumers need to be addressed along with regulations for
large final emitters, small/medium size enterprises, and other industries.
Collaboration
•
Knowledge sharing and information exchange is critical among all levels of government, NGOs,
business, industry, and other stakeholders. In that respect, it is critical for Atlantic Canada to follow
up with several credible and existing studies that provide recommendations and address sensitivities
within the region such as the 2001 Climate Change Action Plan prepared by the Committee on the
Environment and the Northeast International Committee on Energy of the Conference of New
England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers.
Community Engagement:
•
Communities are highly sensitive to climate change and energy planning and therefore need to be
discussed as a sub-issue to all topics. Communities have the capacity to create jobs and benefit in the
long-term if, for example, the region were to promote the growth of green industries.
Transportation
•
Poor or absent transportation infrastructure is a current reality in Atlantic Canada. This issue could
be addressed in terms of both public transit and efficiency of personal transportation through
improved access and trip reduction.
•
Alternative fuels for fleet, particularly heavy transport, are said to be of interest and necessity to
Atlantic Canadians. Funding for research into alternative fuels for transportation such as algae
biofuel production, distribution and use is necessary along with accompanying demonstration
projects.
Air Quality
•
Up to 90 percent of smog in Atlantic Canada comes from the United States 4 through long-range
transport, and therefore transboundary pollution is of concern in the region.
•
Poor air quality is also caused by increased wood burning in households, leading to acute and chronic
effects such as asthma and increased respiratory infections.
Environment Canada. 2005. Clean Air Online: Transboundary Pollution. Available: http://www.ec.gc.ca/cleanairairpur/CAOL/air/interim2001/transboundary_e.html
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3
Potential Speakers: Atlantic Canada
Dr. Roff John
Professor,
Canadian Research Chair
Atlantic Centre for Global Change and Ecosystem Research
Acadia University
Wolfville
Nova Scotia
B4P 2R6
Tel: (902) 585-1921
Fax: (902) 585-1054
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Samuel M. Sami
Professeur et directeur du CRCE
École de génie
Université de Moncton
Tel : (506) 858-4194
Email : [email protected]
Mr. George Foote
Director, Intergovernmental & Climate Change Initiatives
Nova Scotia Department of Energy
Bank of Montreal Building, Suite 400
5151 George Street
P.O. Box 2664
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3J 3P7
Tel: (902) 424 - 8168
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Jim Wright
Director
Oil and Gas Development Partnership
Alexander Murray Building
Room ER 6034
Mermorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John’s, Newfoundland
A1B 3X5
Tel: (709) 737-6192
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Darwin Curtis
Director
4
Energy Demand Management
New Brunswick Department of Energy
Carleton Place
Fredericton
New Brunswick
Tel: (506) 453-3720
Fax: (506) 457-7204
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Carl Brothers
Site Manager
PEI Energy Corporation
PO Box 72
Alberton
C0B 1B0
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Tony Lamport
Nova Scotia Department of Economic Development
Centennial Building
1660 Hollis St., Suite 600
Halifax Nova Scotia
B3J 1V7
Tel: (902) 424-0377
Fax: (902) 424-7008
Email: [email protected]
Ms. Louise Steward
Irving Oil Ltd.
10 Sydney Street
Saint John
New Brunswick
E2L 4K1
Tel: 1-888-310-1924
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Terry McNeil
Director
Newfoundland and labrador Conservation Corps
267 Duckworth Street
St. John's
Newfoundland
A1C 1G9
Tel: (709) 729-7279
Fax: (709) 729-7270
Email: [email protected]
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Synopsis – Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northern Ontario
Industry, households, communities and governments in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northern Ontario
may all be able to play significant roles in helping to put Canada on a path to achieve significant long-term
reductions in energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. This synopsis describes some of the key reduction
opportunities, as well as some of the challenges that would need to be overcome.
Energy-related GHG emissions
•
In 2004, energy-related GHG emissions in Saskatchewan were 56.8 MT (megatonnes), an increase of
62 percent over 1990 levels (35 MT). The main sources of growth were power generation and
combustion/fugitive emissions from the production of fossil fuels. The energy sector accounted for
82 percent of total provincial GHG emissions in 2004.
•
Manitoba’s economic structure gives its GHG inventory the lowest percentage of emissions from the
energy sector (61 percent) among provinces and the highest percentage from agriculture (32 percent).
Energy-related GHG emissions in Manitoba have been stable since 1990 at just over 12 MT, with
increases in the transport sector offset by reductions in other areas.
•
Together, Saskatchewan and Manitoba accounted for 11 percent of total national energy-related
GHG emissions in 2004. While data for northern Ontario is not separately reported, total Ontario
energy-related GHG emissions in 2004 were 164 MT, 26 percent of the national total.
Carbon capture and storage
•
The development and commercialization of technologies and processes for carbon capture and
storage will be critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Saskatchewan’s coal power industry
as well as the oil and gas sector. The Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC) in the Regina
Research Park is leading an international research project Unit that is studying the effectiveness of
permanently storing CO2 underground.
•
Two major projects are already underway in Saskatchewan - carbon dioxide (CO2) flood projects
implemented in the Weyburn Unit by EnCana Energy and in the Midale Unit by Apache Canada are
expected to provide underground storage for close to 30 million tonnes of CO2 over the life of the
projects.
Renewable electricity generation
•
The wind energy resources in Saskatchewan and Manitoba are very large, but are effectively limited
by the ability to firm the intermittent power from wind turbines. Fortunately, the storage offered by
Manitoba’s hydroelectric facilities provides a way to firm wind power and greatly increase its value
and economic potential. Both Saskatchewan and Manitoba have greatly increased wind power
capacity in recent years, and Manitoba has committed to develop an additional 1,000 MW of wind
over the next decade. 5
•
More than 5000 MW of hydroelectric power have been developed in Manitoba already, providing 97
percent of the power produced in the province. There is potential to add an equivalent or greater
amount of low-impact hydropower in Manitoba and Northern Ontario.
•
New transmission infrastructure will be key to developing and integrating additional renewable
electricity generation in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northern Ontario. Additional transmission is
5
Government of Manitoba. 2006. Green and Growing: Building a Green and Prosperous Future for
Manitoba Families.
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needed to connect new power facilities, to link northern communities more effectively with the
southern grid, and to allow power to flow to neighboring jurisdictions in Canada and the US where it
can displace more carbon-intensive generation.
Biofuels
•
With well over half the arable land in Canada, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have abundant agriculture
land to produce feedstock that could be turned into bio-fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.
•
Saskatchewan was the first Canadian province to pass legislation mandating the use of ethanol, and
Husky’s 130-million litre facility in Lloydminster is the largest ethanol plant in Western Canada. In
the 1980s, Manitoba was the first province in Canada to construct an ethanol plant (located in
Minnedosa) and one of the first to have a biodiesel plant (located in Arborg). The Manitoba
government has also passed biofuels legislation mandating the use of 10 percent ethanol in gasoline
products once local production grows to meet the demand.
Transportation
•
Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northern Ontario may be able to benefit from the development of new
transportation technologies. Winnipeg is the home of the largest bus manufacturer in North America
and is a major producer of hybrid buses.
•
Plug-in hybrid vehicles are a good fit with the region – due to the existing plug infrastructure in
parking lots and the ability to use renewable electricity to provide even greater emission reductions.
•
Due to low electricity costs, Manitoba is quite likely to be the first jurisdiction in North America that
is able to economically produce hydrogen from electrolysis of renewable electricity – for true zero
emission hydrogen vehicles.
Energy Efficiency
•
Saskatchewan (the original home of the R2000 house) and Manitoba have always been innovators in
energy efficiency.
•
Manitoba has become a leader in earth energy systems also known as geothermal or ground source
heat pumps. There are now more than 4000 geothermal systems in Manitoba – between 25 percent
and 30 percent of all geothermal system installations in the country – and 56 percent of Canada’s
geothermal installers are trained in Manitoba. Installations have tripled in the past four years and are
predicted to double again in the next two years.
•
The new Manitoba Hydro headquarters currently under construction, consolidating nearly 2,000 staff
from across Winnipeg into the downtown, promises to be one of the most energy-efficient large
buildings in the world, incorporating state-of-the art energy efficiency technologies in a world-class
design while recycling and reusing up to 90 percent of the materials from the original buildings from
the site.
Potential Speakers: Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northern Ontario
Mr. John Clarkson
Deputy Minister
Manitoba Science, Energy, Technology and Mines Room 349, Legislative Building
450 Broadway
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3C 0V8
7
Tel: (204) 945-2771
Fax: (204) 948-2747
Email : [email protected]
Mr. Bob Brennan
President and CEO
Manitoba Hydro
P.O. Box 815 Stn Main
Winnipeg
Manitoba
R3C 2P4
Tel: (204) 474-3311
Mr. Rick Patrick
Vice President
SaskPower
2025 Victoria Avenue
Regina
Saskatchewan
S4P 0S1
Tel: +1 (306) 566-2955
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Trevor Fridfinnson
Director of Operations
Bison Transport
1001 Sherwin Rd.
Winnipeg
Manitoba
R3H 0T8
Tel: (204) 949-5631
Fax : (204) 949-5773
Email [email protected]
Ms. Anne Lindsey
Executive Director
Manitoba Eco-Network
3-303 Portage Ave.
Winnipeg
Manitoba
R3B 2B4
Tel: (204) 947-6511
Fax: (204) 989-8476
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Rodney McDonald
President
Manitoba Chapter
8
Canada Green Building Council
301-35 King Street
Winnipeg
Manitoba
R3B 1H4
Tel: (204) 478-0598
Email: [email protected]
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