UARB Decision on Maritime Link Good for Nova Scotia Families

NOTE: The following is an op-ed piece from Energy Minister Charlie Parker.

Earlier this week, the independent Utility and Review Board approved the Maritime Link project, with conditions that outline what Emera must do to make the project even more favourable for ratepayers.

This is good news and confirms what this government has said all along. That the Maritime Link is the lowest long-term cost alternative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the threat from climate change.

The Maritime Link project has many benefits for Nova Scotians, including access to a reliable source of clean energy for 35 years at stable prices, ensuring the province is part of an energy loop, allowing it to access energy from multiple sources at competitive rates, and helping us achieve energy diversity, security and stability for the future.

The major condition is Emera must guarantee the availability of market-priced energy, through either Nalcor, the Crown utility in Newfoundland and Labrador, or an alternate source. This will help ensure the lowest, fairest rates and benefits for Nova Scotia ratepayers over the long-term.

We appreciate the work the Utility and Review Board did on this file and thank the board for its efforts and expertise in making a decision that benefits the provinces now and in the future. The board's review process was open, transparent, thorough, and included evidence and testimonies from a wide variety of experts.

The Maritime Link is an important part of Nova Scotia's energy plan to move to cleaner renewable energy sources, provide families with the lowest, fairest energy rates and most importantly, help create a strong and secure energy future for the next generation of Nova Scotians.