BILL NO. 240

(as introduced)

1st Session, 59th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
54 Elizabeth II, 2005

Private Member's Bill

Energy Resources Conservation Act
(amended)

Howard Epstein
Halifax Chebucto

First Reading: October 18, 2005

(Explanatory Note)

Second Reading:

Third Reading:

This Bill

(a) prevents restrictions on property owners from erecting clotheslines on their property;

(b) requires owners or operators of retail gasoline stations to provide air for the inflation of tires free of charge;

(c) prevents the construction of buildings in a way that obstructs solar panels on existing buildings; and

(d) requires the Minister of Energy to establish conservation standards for Government and table a report in the House of Assembly respecting the energy consumption of Government.

1 Chapter 147 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Energy Resources Conservation Act, is amended by adding immediately after Section 14 the following Sections:

14A Any term or condition of an instrument affecting real property that prevents an owner or occupier from erecting a clothesline is of no effect.

14B (1) Every owner or operator of a retail gasoline station that provides air for the inflation of tires free of charge shall continue to do so.

(2) No owner or operator of a retail gasoline station shall, after July 1, 2006, charge a fee for the inflation of tires.

14C No person shall construct commercial or residential buildings in a way that interferes with or obstructs solar panels on existing buildings.

14D (1) The Minister of Energy shall, before January 1, 2006, establish energy conservation standards for all Government buildings and property leased by the Government.

(2) The Minister of Energy shall, in accordance with subsection (2), prepare an annual report to be tabled in the House of Assembly on an annual basis before March 31, commencing in 2006.

(3) The report must contain information respecting the energy consumption of Government, including but not limited to

(a) the gasoline consumption of the Government fleet of vehicles;

(b) the make, model and average fuel efficiency of the vehicles within the Government fleet;

(c) the electricity used within Government buildings and property leased by the Government;

(d) the educational and awareness programs undertaken by Government to educate employees about energy conservation; and

(e) estimated savings achieved on a yearly basis as a result of conservation efforts.