David Coon is the leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick. (Submitted)
A Green party bill aimed at expanding New Brunswick’s renewable energy mix has been defeated in the legislature.
The bill, which passed first and second reading, was defeated 22-16 during committee of the whole Wednesday.
Leader David Coon said the bill would have helped communities, municipal utilities and First Nation governments buy more renewable power.
“As well, it would really help grow the whole renewable energy sector — the small businesses and cooperatives which are springing up around the province to deliver these kinds of services — and, of course, in the end, would help shrink our carbon footprint,” said Coon on Wednesday.
Under current legislation, municipal utilities can only buy renewable power produced within their city limits while other communities can only buy it from NB Power.
Unfortunately my bill to expand renewable energy was defeated today, 22 to 16, by the People's Alliance and the PCs. – Malheureusement, mon projet de loi visant à développer l'énergie renouvelable a été rejeté ajd, 22 à 16, par l'Alliance des gens et les conservateurs. #NB
— David Coon (@DavidCCoon) June 12, 2019
Coon said the proposed bill would have allowed municipal utilities to reduce their costs by purchasing renewable power outside their city limits. He said communities without their own utilities would have been able to buy from local producers to help power their government operations — things like municipal buildings and rinks.
“We need those kinds of savings for our municipalities,” Coon said. “It would have been tremendously helpful for Saint John because, of course, the renewables now are cheaper than what NB Power is selling their electricity for.”
“To me, [the bill being defeated] suggests that government is continuing to defer to NB Power, and if NB Power doesn’t like something, it’s not going to happen,” he said.
Coon adds the ability to shrink the province’s carbon footprint “should not be held hostage” by NB Power’s reluctance to invest in renewable energy.
Despite his disappointment, Coon said his party will keep trying to get more renewable energy into the system.
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