Tag: Renewable Energy

Atlantic Economic Panel missing an environmental expert

A new Atlantic Economic Panel was announced, a “private-sector-led initiative established to catalyze economic transformation in Atlantic Canada.” The announcement makes no mention of how the economy is expected to flourish without considering the impact that greenhouse gas-emitting projects will have on the climate and the natural world.

CRED-NB core member Sam Arnold of the Sustainable Energy Group – Carleton published a critical commentary in the NB Media Co-op, HERE. His commentary points out that an environmental expert is needed. Business and environmental experts must work in concert to safeguard a sustainable economic future for present and future generations – and for nature.

Pabineau First Nation’s wind energy

As the urgency to transition to low-carbon energy grows, Pabineau First Nation is emerging as a key player in Indigenous-led climate action and renewable energy development. The Mi’kmaq community in northern New Brunswick near Bathurst is demonstrating how renewable energy can support both climate goals and economic reconciliation.

Read the new article co-written by Chief Terry Richardson and CRED-NB Champion Emma Fackenthall: “Pabineau First Nation’s path toward economic reconciliation and climate justice through wind energy,” published by the NB Media Co-op, HERE.

Ralph Torrie’s renewable energy plan – video

Ralph Torrie presented his renewable energy plan for the Maritimes in Fredericton in late October. The NB Media Co-op published a video of his talk, HERE. His visit to New Brunswick was co-hosted by a coalition of groups, including CRED-NB.

Torrie’s work on energy in the Maritimes is part of a major Corporate Knights project, Climate Dollars, which shows that solving the climate emergency would cost less than perpetuating the polluting, 20th-century energy system we have today. The Climate Dollars project report is expected to be published soon.

CEDAR project: NB Power needs a complete overhaul

CRED-NB Champion, the CEDAR project at St. Thomas University, submitted its critique of NB Power to the NB Power Review team. CEDAR researchers believe NB Power needs a complete overhaul. Key messages:

  • The energy system – climate system connection is missing
  • There is a strong case against nuclear power as a climate-friendly supply option
  • Investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure is “moral and economic madness”
  • Global energy systems are transitioning to renewable energy, and NB Power needs to do the same
  • Renewable energy investments are already signalling the way forward in New Brunswick
  • Customers expect a public electrical utility they can trust; they are getting the opposite.
  • NB Power is frozen in the past. The utility needs a fundamental change of direction.

    Read the full submission HERE.

CRED-NB submission to the NB Power Review

A review of NB Power is underway to address the many issues facing the troubled public utility. CRED-NB’s submission has eight recommendations to transition NB Power to a renewable energy utility with a sustainable future. Read it HERE.

We encourage CRED-NB Champions to send comments to the NB Power Review and make your voice count! Deadline: November 14. The email address is: NBPReview-ExamenENB@gnb.ca

You are welcome to echo any points made in the CRED-NB’s submission and mention that you support it.

Oct. 23 – Ralph Torrie: A renewable energy future for the Maritimes

CRED-NB and partners invited energy analyst Ralph Torrie to Fredericton to share with the public his analysis on a renewable energy future for the region. Ralph is an expert climate and energy strategist and Research Director of Corporate Knights.

Thursday, October 23 at 6 PM
Fredericton Public Library, 12 Carleton Street

Free, everyone welcome. Info page and partner information HERE.

CRED-NB at the Social Forum in Wolastokuk: Oct. 4-5

CRED-NB will present its plan, “A democratic, renewable electricity system for New Brunswick,” at the Social Forum in Wolastokuk in Fredericton on Saturday, October 4 at 11 AM, in a joint session on Energy Democracy with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. Join us and meet the CRED core team! Details HERE.

On Sunday, October 5 at 1:30 PM, CRED-NB is co-hosting the final Social Forum session, The Many vs. The Money. Core member Susan O’Donnell will be speaking at the session opening panel. Details HERE.

The Social Forum host is the NB Media Co-op and co-organized by CRED-NB member the St. Thomas University CEDAR project. The venue is Cathedral Memorial Hall in downtown Fredericton. Open to everyone free of charge • No registration needed. Full schedule and details HERE.

Yes, alternatives exist to more fossil gas in New Brunswick

NB Power claims the province needs a new fossil (‘natural’) gas-fired power plant. If built, the new power plant would be the largest new energy generator on the grid in decades. It would emit new greenhouse gasses – just when we desperately need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Much better alternatives do exist.

Read the full article by CRED-NB core member Tom McLean, published in the NB Media Co-op, HERE.

CRED-NB supports the Build Canada Homes initiative

CRED-NB joined with more than 100 groups across Canada to sign a letter to the Prime Minister asking to ensure that the Build Canada Homes initiative includes sustainability guidelines. The letter we signed asked that these new homes use the most modern technologies for heating and cooling air and water. Rather than building these homes with antiquated oil or gas heating, residents of Canada would greatly benefit from homes that come equipped with high efficiency electric heat pumps or other low-carbon alternatives like high-efficiency direct electric or geothermal district heating. Read the letter HERE.