© Conservation Council of New Brunswick 2024
In this edition of EcoNews, we give you the scoop on who’s responsible for the infamous gas price hike in July and what you can do about it; bring you our highly anticipated 2023 herbicide hotspots map; shed some light on heat pumps, hydrogen power and energy storage with our new electricity factsheets; delve deeper into the removal of the Milltown Dam and the need for electric school buses in New Brunswick; and look back at the success of our Solar Butterfly Open House.
Gas price hike initiated by Province, not Feds
Remember the controversial gas price hike we had in July? Dr. Moe Qureshi, our climate solutions manager, does. After seeing the provincial government’s misleading ads about the federal Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR), Dr. Qureshi went to the media to set the record straight on why New Brunswickers are saddled with the costs, especially when these regulations only apply to primary suppliers who produce or import liquid fossil fuels.
Spoiler alert: The Government of New Brunswick created the “Carbon Adjustor” loophole, which allows oil refineries to pass the costs of cleaning up their fuel on to you at the pumps, instead of paying themselves.
It is crucial that our supporters hold the provincial government accountable for prioritizing industrial interests over the people they serve. The Energy and Utility Board (EUB) will review the Carbon Adjustor loophole in late 2023 or early 2024. Use the link below to read Dr. Qureshi’s op-ed and then use our letter-writing tool to push back against New Brunswick’s carbon adjustor loophole.
2023 Hotspots for Herbicide Spraying in N.B.
Another year of spraying glyphosate; another letter to my MLA. Over 35,000 New Brunswickers want glyphosate out of their forests, yet the provincial government insists that glyphosate is the only option.
We know this isn’t the case because Quebec banned glyphosate from its Crown forests in 2001. Quebec currently maintains a productive forestry industry, with thinning crews doing the job herbicides once did.
But if the provincial government thinks New Brunswickers will ignore this issue, they are wrong. New Brunswickers are devoted to their forests and the wildlife that lives there. This is why we release our annual Herbicide Hotspot Map, letting you know where herbicides are sprayed. Check out our map of herbicide hotspots to learn about herbicide hotspots near you. Then use our updated letter-writing tool to tell your MLA (maybe not for the first time) to stop herbicide spraying in New Brunswick’s Crown Forest. Keep them coming—Every letter counts!
Regulations are a crucial step toward climate leadership
Before the federal Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR) took effect in July and Dr. Qureshi raised the alarm on New Brunswick’s “Carbon Adjustor” loophole, the Conservation Council joined with the Ecology Action Center were already challenging misleading comments made by Atlantic Premiers, including our own Premier Higgs, aimed at instilling fear and hesitation among Canadians regarding federal climate policies. In this Chronicle Herald opinion piece, we argue that lobbying efforts have already delayed and watered down these critical regulations. We also argue that the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s May 18 report about the regulations falls short in its analysis.
An introduction to heat pumps, hydrogen power and electricity storage
New Brunswickers are ready for clean electricity. The only real question is will it be powered by safe, clean electricity generated by a mix of locally sourced solar, wind and hydro? Or, will New Brunswick gamble on unproven technologies like Small Nuclear Reactors (SMRs) or unpractical energy sources like hydrogen?
With all the hype around hydrogen these days, doubts over the viability of electricity storage, and questions around the cost-saving potential of heat pumps, we thought this would be the ideal time to give you a few additional resources to help you navigate the complex task of electrifying our electricity grid.
Read our most recent factsheets on Heat Pumps, Hydrogen and Electricity Storage. Then browse the rest of our Electricity Vision page to learn more about our vision of New Brunswick’s electricity future.
Alewife are running up the Milltown Dam fishway for the last time!
This summer, Milltown Dam, the oldest hydroelectric facility in Canada, will finally be removed. This will restore free flow to the lower Skutik (St. Croix) River. After more than a decade of advocating for the Skutik (St. Croix) River to be returned to its original state, the removal of the dam will allow alewife populations—a key source of food in both freshwater and marine ecosystems—to flourish once again.
Before the construction of the Milltown Dam, the Skutik River would see up to 2.5 million alewives, but now we’re only seeing approximately 830,000 fish in the river. While much work remains to be done, the removal of the Milltown Dam only strengthens the resolve of those committed to Skutik’s present and future health.
It's time to move toward a fully electric school bus fleet in N.B.
Electric school buses are a safer, healthier alternative to traditional gasoline buses that can pose a health risk for developing lungs. The federal government has a whopping $2.75-billion zero-emission transit fund available to provinces to help them transition to electric school buses. Our goal is for New Brunswick to follow other provinces, like PEI and Quebec, who use this funding source to electrify their school bus fleets. The cost, health, and environmental benefits of electric school buses are undeniable. It’s time for New Brunswick to make the switch!
Solar Butterfly’s Fredericton debut
We had a fantastic time at our Solar Butterfly Open House last month. Seeing young eyes light up when they see an unfolded solar-paneled vehicle and talking with people about climate change and energy solutions made it all worthwhile. Over 80 people attended this family-friendly event, and we would like to thank everyone who visited.
If you missed it, the Solar Butterfly is a 10-meter-long trailer powered entirely by solar energy and pulled by a Tesla that travels the globe in search of 1000 innovative climate change solutions. The Solar Butterfly team began their World Tour in May 2022 and has visited 29 countries. Even though the Solar Butterfly team could not stay long, we are proud to include Fredericton in their cross-national climate change campaign.
We work hard to ensure a strong environmental voice is heard in New Brunswick’s print, radio and television media. Here are the latest stories Conservation Council staff have been called upon for expertise, analysis and commentary:
CCNB in the News
August 16, 2023 – Amanda Page, our ecological forestry researcher, speaks with CBC about the provincial government’s missing report on N.B. forests. Read the story.
August 10, 2023 – Our website was referenced in a CBC article on creating a lawn more habitable for pollinators. Read the story.
August 3, 2023 –Dr. Moe Qureshi, our climate solutions manager, speaks with Global News about the Atlantic Loop Project’s overlooked export opportunities. Read the story.
July 21, 2023 – Dr. Qureshi speaks with CBC about the provincial government passing Clean Fuel Regulation costs onto consumers instead of industry. Read the story.
July 9, 2023 – In this interview with CBC Maritime Connection, Dr. Qureshi discusses how the Clean Fuel Regulations and the Federal Carbon Tax will affect consumers. Listen to the interview.
July 5, 2023 – In this interview with CBC Maritime Noon, Dr. Qureshi discusses the Federal Carbon Tax and Clean Fuel Regulations, and how they differ. Listen to the interview.
June 8, 2023 – In this interview with CBC Information Morning, Dr. Louise Comeau, our director of climate solutions, discusses Irving Oil’s strategic review. Listen to the interview.
June 7, 2023 – Comeau speaks with the Telegraph-Journal about Irving Oil considering selling their company. Read the story (paywall).
June 7, 2023 – Comeau speaks with CBC about Irving Oil’s announcement that they’re considering selling their company to undermine climate regulations. Read the story.
June 7, 2023 – Matt Abbott, our director of marine conservation and Fundy Baykeeper, is on an episode of CHCO Television’s Fundy Tidings that discusses the importance of restoring the Schoodic River. Watch the interview.
May 31, 2023 – Amanda Page, our ecological forestry researcher, speaks with CBC Maritime Noon about youth climate activism. Listen to the segment.
May 19, 2023 – A CBC article about No-Mow May references our website regarding creating an environment for pollinators. Read the story.
Recent press releases we’ve issued:
August 10, 2023 – Canada Sets Bold Target: Net-Zero Electricity via Clean Regulations
June 30, 2023 – Dr. Qureshi: Provincial government uses taxpayer money to mislead public on Clean Fuel Regulations
June 19, 2023 – Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act: Pioneering Legislation for a Greener and More Inclusive Economy
June 15, 2023 – Solar Butterfly Descends upon Fredericton, Igniting Youth Engagement in Environmental Action!