Nova Scotia loses its energy efficiency edge

A new national study says Nova Scotia's leadership position in energy efficiency has been overtaken by other provinces, including its closest neighbours.

The "Canadian Energy Efficiency Scorecard" has the East Coast province tumbling from second place in in 2022 to fifth this year, while Prince Edward Island is now tied with Quebec for second place, and New Brunswick has moved ahead to fourth spot.

British Columbia has retained its rank at first place, based on data gathered between January 2023 and June of this year.

The recently released report, produced by Efficiency Canada, bases the rankings on programs and policies that aim to conserve energy in households, cars and buildings, and reduce the use of oil and natural gas.

"The key story with Nova Scotia (in this year's report) is other provinces are passing it," said Brendan Haley, policy director with the non-profit group.

Haley said it's important for the Maritime provinces to strive for energy efficiency because they continue to rely heavily on costly fossil fuels that drive up household and business expenses.

Nova Scotia's programs have been emulated by other jurisdictions, but P.E.I. and New Brunswick now have higher levels of efficiency and supports for low-to-moderate income households, while other provinces are moving more quickly on retrofitting buildings for improved energy efficiency.

The report says Nova Scotia "reliance on coal for electricity production is increasing costs and putting pressure on electricity bills."

The authors say Nova Scotia's ranking has been undermined by delays in getting hydroelectric power from Newfoundland and Labrador.

Meanwhile, the high cost of heating oil and natural gas in the province is "creating the need for smart combinations of building envelope improvements and electrification," the report says.

The study says that Nova Scotia recently adopted improved building codes, but Efficiency Canada recommends the province set requirements for large commercial and residential buildings to achieve certain energy and emission-performance standards.

Efficiency Canada says British Columbia, P.E.I. and New Brunswick have made clear commitments to have "net zero energy ready" building codes in place by specific dates. These codes require buildings to produce as much clean energy as they consume.

Nova Scotia has yet to make such a commitment.

However, the report says Nova Scotia has increased financial incentives and training to build to net-zero standards, adding these improvements happened after the 2024 report was completed.

It also says the province's new Energy Reform Act, which will create a new energy board that must consider the province’s environmental and climate change goals, has the potential to bring about improvement.

However, the authors say the new legislation has "missed out" by not explicitly giving the board the power to set and regulate minimum energy efficiency standards. Rather, it is focused on regulating the generation of electricity, says the report.

A spokeswoman for Nova Scotia's Environment Department also provided several news releases of recent measures introduced by the recently re-elected Progressive Conservative government.

Those include an announcement in August that it had set aside $3 million for applicants to its Clean Fuels Fund, which helps businesses and communities switch to low-carbon and renewable fuels. 

The province also announced in May it would provide $1.5 million this year for energy audits, designs and retrofit plans for new or existing buildings for municipalities, First Nations, registered non-profit organizations, post-secondary institutions and businesses with clean energy projects.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2024.