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BILL NO. 128

(as introduced)

1st Session, 64th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
71 Elizabeth II, 2022

 

Private Member's Bill

 

Energy Efficiency Act

 

Claudia Chender
Dartmouth South



First Reading: April 1, 2022

Second Reading:

Third Reading:

 

An Act to Increase Energy Efficiency in Nova Scotia

WHEREAS Nova Scotia Power's proposed 10% rate hike is unaffordable for many Nova Scotians;

AND WHEREAS energy-efficiency programs are the best way to help lower people's power bills, even as power rates rise;

AND WHEREAS retrofits can help save people money on their power bills, but often require upfront costs that are unaffordable for many people;

AND WHEREAS spending on energy efficiency programs in Nova Scotia is stalled, and the workforce to deliver these programs has not been properly developed;

AND WHEREAS the Province needs to make serious investments to address the climate crisis;

THEREFORE be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:

1 This Act may be cited as the Energy Efficiency Act.

2 (1) The Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables shall take immediate action to support, strengthen and set targets for energy efficiency programming while prioritizing equitable access and benefits for low income and marginalized Nova Scotians.

(2) This action must include, but is not be limited to,

(a) development of a legislated energy efficiency resource standard covering all energy sources, with savings attributable to Efficiency Nova Scotia activities;

(b) minimum electricity demand-side management annual savings equal to one and one half per cent of annual sales in the year 2023, growing to at least three per cent each year by 2030;

(c) a plan to eliminate oil heating in the Province by 2050 at the latest, with interim targets for fossil fuel savings and number of buildings undergoing deep retrofits; and

(d) establishment of a minimum budget for low-income energy efficiency programs in all plans to meet energy efficiency resource standard requirements.

(3) The minimum target in clause (2)(b) may be increased by the Minister or the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board if cost-effective or deemed by the Minister or the Board to be complementary to achieve renewable energy targets and net-zero emissions.

 


This page and its contents published by the Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and © 2022 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created April 1, 2022. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.