Nova Scotia to Introduce Tailpipe Greenhouse Gas Standards by 2010

26 March 2007

Nova Scotia’s Minister of Environment and Labor, Mark Parent, last week introduced a bill that among other features would mandate tailpipe greenhouse gas emission standards for motor vehicles by 2010.

The “Act Respecting Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity” outlines more that 20 initiatives and objectives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 10% below 1990 levels by 2020.

The bill does not specify the tailpipe standards, but simply states that:

...the Province will adopt emissions standards for greenhouse gases and air pollutants from new motor vehicles, such as the standards adopted by the State of California by the year 2010;

Some of the other energy- and emissions-related provisions in the act include:

• A 20% reduction in NO_x emissions relative to 2000 levels by 2009;

• A 50% reduction in SO₂ emissions from sources existing in 2001 by 2010;

• A 70% reduction in mercury emissions relative to 2001 levels by 2010;

• A renewable energy portfolio mandate of 18.5% by 2013;

• Nova Scotia to meet the Canada Wide Standard established by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment for airborne fine-particulate matter by the year 2010; and

• Nova Scotia to meet the Canada Wide Standard established by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment for ground-level ozone by the year 2010.

(A hat-tip to Bob!)

Resources:

• Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act (Bill No. 146)