Traditional territory of the Wabanaki Peoples/Fredericton – The federal government’s new Clean Electricity Regulations (CER) set Canada on a course to achieve a carbon-neutral electricity grid by 2035 — a critical step in the fight against climate change.
These regulations establish new rules to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Canada’s electricity sector. Although the final version is less ambitious than the original draft, the regulations are expected to cut at least 180 million tonnes of carbon emissions from 2025 to 2050. Federal modelling predicts the regulations will only slightly increase electricity rates—by about 1-2 per cent—a far smaller rise than the recent 19 per cent increase New Brunswickers will see from N.B. Power over the next two years.
“These regulations balance climate action with affordability,” said Dr. Moe Qureshi, the Conservation Council of New Brunswick’s director of climate research and policy “It’s an important step toward cleaner air, healthier communities and a sustainable energy future.”
However, there are some key concerns with the new regulations. They do not regulate biomass facilities, meaning New Brunswick’s forests would be vulnerable to increased harvesting if the Belledune Generating Station is converted to burn biomass. Another gap allows new power plants built before 2025 to operate without meeting the CER performance standards, allowing significant emissions until nearly 2050.
Despite these challenges, New Brunswick has a promising opportunity to align provincial policies with federal goals. Recent investments, such as $1 billion for Indigenous-led wind power projects and funding for N.B. Power to improve regional power connections, show the potential for creating a cleaner, more reliable energy system.
“These regulations lay the groundwork for New Brunswick to build a modern energy system that meets the needs of residents and businesses while protecting the environment,” said Qureshi.
The Conservation Council is ready to work with the provincial government and N.B. Power to ensure these regulations deliver benefits for New Brunswickers. With cleaner energy, healthier forests and a stable grid, this is a step forward for a greener, more affordable future for everyone.
For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Corey Robichaud, Director of Communications, Conservation Council of New Brunswick | corey.robichaud@conservationcouncil.ca | 506.458.8747