News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government has posted draft regulations online for a program that will allow local entities and aboriginal communities to develop renewable energy projects.

“This forward-thinking initiative will help us create jobs and grow the economy in a sustainable way,” said Energy and Mines Minister Donald Arseneault. “The more renewable energy projects that we can develop, the better off our province will be from an economic and environmental standpoint.”

The Locally-owned Renewable Energy Projects that are Small Scale (LORESS) program will encourage the creation of new renewable generation to serve the province’s demand for energy. The program will be developed by NB Power once the regulations are completed and will provide economic benefits to local entities such as municipalities, universities, non-profit organizations, associations and co-operatives. In addition, it will prioritize small-scale renewable energy projects for First Nations communities.

As per provincial guidelines, the draft regulations will be posted online for 30 days for public feedback. The draft regulations include details on the following:

• First Nations projects;

• projects for local entities;

• maximum megawatts allowed for each project;

• types of renewable generation projects; and

• partnerships.

Comments can be submitted by email to [email protected] or by telephone at 1-844-669-3543. More details on how to participate in the program are also available online.

“We look forward to the completion of the regulations for this program and the future opportunities it will bring for collaboration with these communities,” said NB Power president and CEO Gaëtan Thomas. “By working together with New Brunswickers to incorporate more renewable energy onto the grid, we will continue to reduce our carbon footprint while being able to keep our energy rates low and stable for all our customers.”

The program will help the province achieve its commitment to see 40 per cent of its in-province electricity sales come from renewable energy by 2020, as detailed in the Renewable Portfolio Standard.