In a rare move, the Trudeau government rejected the granting of a new marine oil and gas exploration permit that was supposed to reopen the door to the industry off the coast of Nova Scotia.
The federal government and that of Nova Scotia have issued a joint statement to signify their veto on the issuance of this new permit, which was normally to be granted following an auction of eight exploration permits which took place is completed in October.
The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board announced that only one bid had been accepted following the call for tenders launched a year earlier to try to restart oil and gas exploration. Inceptio Limited had promised to invest $1.5 million in exploratory work to get its hands on a 1,200 km permit2. This permit is located at the limits of a marine protected zone, called the “Gully zone”, established in 2004 to protect several species of cetaceans.
However, the company will not obtain its permit. According to the wording of the declaration released Monday during the day, the two levels of government insist on the need to “take into account broader political considerations”, including their “commitments” to develop “clean energy” and the opportunities that present themselves for this sector.
Wind power
The Trudeau government and that of Nova Scotia are focusing more specifically on the development potential of the marine wind industry. A first project of 20 to 25 wind turbines will be completed by 2030, according to information made public last summer. And permits located in waters under provincial jurisdiction are expected to be auctioned next year for companies wishing to exploit wind potential.
In addition to developing a regulatory framework with this province, the Trudeau government is currently working with that of Newfoundland and Labrador on a “regional assessment” of the marine wind sector. Here too, the potential for energy production from strong winds from the North Atlantic is attracting growing interest.
The decision to refuse the issuance of a new oil and gas exploration permit was welcomed by environmental groups, including the Sierra Club Canada Foundation, which has been criticizing the continuation of oil and gas exploration and exploitation projects for several years. fossil fuels in marine environments.
The most recent call for tenders for 47 oil and gas exploration permits in the marine environment, off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, has also remained unanswered. Nevertheless, calls for tenders for new permits are planned on a regular basis until 2029. Newfoundland and Labrador’s desire is to double oil production after 2030, at a time when climate experts insist on the need to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels to limit climate disruption.