The Atlantica Centre for Energy has told the provincial climate change committee that the climate change plan should be introduced slowly and not be put together too quickly.
Chair Stephen MacMackin delivered the presentation to the commtitee and says we must scale the plan so that it can be implemented over more than 30 years.
“I think that’s the really important part, this is a long term view and plan,” says MacMackin. “New Brunswick’s emissions peaked at 22 megatonnes, yet through emission reduction efforts by industry and NB Power the province emissions today are roughly the same as 1990.”
MacMackin told the committee that shutting down today’s industries could bring down emissions to meet targets but that’s not a good way to do things – a balance has to be struck. He says industry that’s already in place needs to innovate and be able to transition.
The future of energy, they argue, should involve both carbon fuels and clean energy – not one or the other.
“We will continue to reduce the use of emissions from carbon fuels, while we increase the adoption of lower and non-emitting fuels,” says MacMackin.
“We encourage the committee to take the necessary steps to develop recommendations that lead to a comprehensive, well thought out plan.”
