Working Today for a Cleaner Future

Nova Scotians will benefit from a cleaner environment because of action by Premier John Hamm and his counterparts from New England and Eastern Canada.

The state and provincial leaders concluded their 27th annual conference today, Aug. 27, in Quebec City.

"We're building on our success towards providing a cleaner environment today and tomorrow," said Premier Hamm.

The resolutions adopted by New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers included the following measures:

• further implementing the regional climate change action plan approved at last year's conference of governors and premiers;

• reviewing and recommending options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector and increasing the amount of energy saved through conservation programs in a cost-effective manner;

• taking additional steps to address acid rain, mercury and air quality issues in a manner that's economically and technically feasible;

• convening a New England/Eastern Canada conference, hosted by Massachusetts, in spring 2003 to examine climate-change impacts; and

• identifying areas for expanding efforts by the governors and premiers to implement climate-change programs.

"No one jurisdiction can correct problems that have been decades or even centuries in the making," said Premier Hamm. "Although by working together, we can make real progress in reducing emissions that damage our climate and pose risks to our health, as well as the health of our children and grandchildren."

Nova Scotia's comprehensive energy strategy, Seizing the Opportunity, outlines the government's commitment to addressing climate change. Specific provincial actions include:

• establishing a green-energy requirement for provincial public buildings;

• implementing a government "house-in-order" program that has targets for energy use in existing government-funded facilities;

• promoting the use of energy-service companies as a means of achieving energy savings by government; and

• requiring that all new government-funded buildings exceed by 25 per cent the targets of the model National Energy Code for Buildings.

"We believe in a fair, balanced approach to environmental protection and remediation," said the premier. "Our children are counting on all of us."