Attention News Editors: Lois Corbett, Executive Director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, and Louise Comeau, Director of Climate Change and Energy Solutions, issued the following statement to Hon. Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, with respect to New Brunswick’s proposed equivalency agreement that would extend the operating life of the Belledune coal-fired power plant to 2040. She is available for interviews.
“Congratulations on your appointment as Minister of Environment and Climate Change. As you prepare for the important negotiations ahead of you at COP26, the Conservation Council of New Brunswick (CCNB), is bringing to your attention a near-term opportunity to shine internationally, while strengthening your Government’s commitment to coal phase-out and creation of a near-zero electricity grid no later than 2035.
In July of this year, we shared our concerns with your Government about allowing an equivalency agreement with New Brunswick that would extend the operating life of the Belledune coal-fired power plant to 2040 (Appendix 1). That letter was stimulated by the province’s notice of intent to regulate emissions caps for NB Power that would see Belledune operate at a lower capacity to 2040. See our letter to the provincial environment and climate change minister in Appendix 2.
Minister, as you head to Glasgow, and plan to participate in the activities related to the Powering Past Coal Alliance, you have the opportunity to show the world that Canada is serious about coal phase-out by 2030 and a near-zero electricity grid by 2035. You can announce in Glasgow that Canada will no longer approve equivalency agreements under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and put an end to provincial efforts to extend coal power plant operations past 2030.”
Download the full statement: English | French
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Recommended links:
- Read the Conservation Council’s letter to the Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, then Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, calling on the federal government to reject New Brunswick’s proposal for an equivalency agreement, here.
- Read Louise Comeau’s comments on N.B.’s proposed equivalency agreement on CBC New Brunswick (July 15, 2021) here.
- Read the Conservation Council’s letter to Hon. Mike Holland, Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Development, calling on the provincial government to build a modern electricity system that is affordable, environmentally sustainable, and reliable, here.
For more information to arrange an interview, contact:
Jon MacNeill, Communications Director: jon.macneill@conservationcouncil.ca | 506-238-2529