Province Gives Green Light to Pictou Green Energy Project

People in the Pictou area are closer to having more jobs and environmental benefits of clean, green renewable electricity generated in their own backyards.

Pictou East MLA Clarrie MacKinnon announced today, Oct. 10, that a wind project with three 50-kilowatt turbines in Riverton has been approved for the Community Feed-in Tariff (COMFIT) program.

"The application reflects the community's interest in helping to diversify and balance our electricity system," said Mr. MacKinnon. "This government has taken a proactive approach to building a cleaner and greener energy economy that creates good jobs, and this approach is paying off for communities like ours."

The Municipality of the County of Pictou will work to secure financing, develop a grid-impact study and complete necessary environmental assessments and approvals.

The 2010 Renewable Electricity Plan introduced the COMFIT concept to help provide a secure supply of clean energy at stable prices, reduce green-house gas emissions and create jobs.

"It's great to get this news," said Brian Cullen, chief administrative officer for the Municipality of the County of Pictou. "With this approval in place, we hope to be able to begin construction of our project in Riverton, Pictou County."

COMFIT provides eligible groups an established price per kilowatt hour (kWh) for projects producing electricity from renewable resources such as wind, biomass, in-stream tidal and hydroelectric developments. The feed-in tariff rates were established by the Utility and Review Board last September.

Eligible groups include municipalities, First Nations, co-operatives and not-for-profits.

The COMFIT program will help the province reach its aggressive renewable electricity targets of 25 per cent renewable electricity by 2015 and 40 per cent by 2020. The province expects 100 megawatts to be produced through the COMFIT.

For more information on the program, visit www.nsrenewables.ca .