Nova Sustainable Fuels has received environmental assessment approval for the first phase of a project that will see the company develop a renewable energy park in Goldboro, Guysborough County, where it will produce sustainable aviation fuel.
The company plans to use waste biomass from Nova Scotia forestry and forest-based industries to create low-emission aviation fuel as an alternative to petroleum-based fuel.
“Projects like this are crucial to helping to reduce global carbon emissions, while creating jobs and growing our economy,” said Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “And when we welcome projects like this, it continues to position Nova Scotia as a leader in climate change action, innovation and the global clean energy transformation.”
The company will need a second environmental assessment approval for its second phase – a proposed wind energy and solar farm and a transmission line to supply renewable energy for fuel production.
The company expects the project will create about 1,000 jobs during the construction phase, up to 80 jobs during its operation (expected to end in 2081) and direct and indirect economic benefits for local businesses, communities and residents.
The project must comply with 34 stringent terms and conditions in its environmental assessment approval that are designed to protect the environment and human health. The project will also require an industrial approval and a water withdrawal approval.
Quick Facts:
- the company would create a new market for Nova Scotia’s oversupply of biomass from forestry activity, including wood chips and bark that are the byproduct of silviculture, harvesting and sawmilling
- the Minister of Environment and Climate Change – the province’s environmental regulator – uses the Environment Act and is guided by science and evidence when reviewing environmental assessment requests
- if a project is approved, the regulator typically includes terms and conditions which are designed to ensure the environment and people remain protected throughout the life of the project, while also allowing viable, safe and responsible development to take place
- the Department’s inspection, compliance and enforcement staff ensure companies comply with the terms and conditions of their various approvals; in 2024, they conducted about 6,400 inspections to ensure companies were complying with Nova Scotia’s environmental rules and laws
Additional Resources:
Environmental assessment approval and project documents for the Nova Sustainable Fuels project: https://novascotia.ca/nse/ea/nova-sustainable-fuels-renewable-energy/
More information on the environmental assessment process is available at: https://novascotia.ca/environmental-assessment-getting-started/
Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/environmental%20goals%20and%20climate%20change%20reduction.pdf