Government Committed to Solar Power, Op-ed

NOTE: The following is an op-ed from Environment and Climate Change Minister Timothy Halman.

Many Nova Scotians have made their feelings known about Nova Scotia Power’s application to increase electricity rates by 10 per cent and increase the cost for solar power.

Solar customers and installers are justifiably concerned for the survival of the province’s solar industry.

I want to assure Nova Scotians and the solar industry that this government’s resolve in achieving our greenhouse gas emission targets – which includes the use of solar power to reduce emissions – is unwavering.

As the Minister responsible for the new and ambitious Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act, I am committed to achieving our legislated targets by 2030.

Our government will protect solar homeowners and small businesses in the solar industry by bringing forward regulations that will stop the proposed net-metering charge. I want to thank Premier Tim Houston and Minister Tory Rushton and the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables for taking this decisive action to continue our fight against climate change.

Nova Scotia has set one of the most ambitious targets in the country for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve this, we need to expand access to renewable energy – and that includes solar.

We want Nova Scotians to continue to adopt solar. That is why we invest in programs to encourage Nova Scotians to switch to solar, including $8 million we recently announced for solar retrofits. The industry creates jobs and provides economic benefits. A system access charge for net-metered installations, the majority of which are solar, is not in line with that goal.

Our government will join other intervenors at the Utility and Review Board hearing into Nova Scotia Power’s rate application to ensure any changes granted to Nova Scotia Power are consistent with the goals of the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act and in the best interest of Nova Scotians.