NEW – NS: CPA pushes low-carbon residential retrofit program and transitioning school buses from diesel to propane in pre-budget submission
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On February 4, 2022, the CPA filed its pre-budget submission to Nova Scotia as part of the provincial preparation for the upcoming fiscal year.
In his submission, CPA Interim President and CEO, Allan Murphy, indicated to the minister of Finance that, “because of its low-emissions, portability and affordability, propane is an Energy For All.”
Murphy noted that pathways to decarbonization must be affordable and available to all Nova Scotians, especially those who live in rural communities. The high cost of electricity and the province’s continued dependence on coal and oil for a significant portion of power generation are barriers to immediate decarbonization.
For home energy, the absence of incentives that would encourage Nova Scotians to transition from heating oil to clean energy alternatives like propane is another barrier to immediate decarbonization.
For transportation, there are real opportunities to build on the success of propane school buses by expanding auto propane to government fleets and by incentivizing the private sector to do the same.
The CPA recommended actions that will reduce GHGs immediately through the expanded use of propane resulting in cleaner communities, affordable energy and job creation.
“Decarbonization cannot wait,” wrote Murphy. “The expanded use of propane will yield immediate benefits for all Nova Scotians.”
On March 10, the CPA met with the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources to review the CPA’s budget submission. The discussions focused on establishing a low-carbon residential retrofit program as well as the advantages of transitioning school buses in the province from diesel to propane.
