Canadian provinces to cut fuel use, boost tidal energy

A group of Canadian provinces and territories have set a task force to lower the use of diesel fuel to generate electricity in remote communities, while Nova Scotia and British Columbia will work on developing tidal energy on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

The deals, announced Tuesday during the second and last day of the Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference held in Halifax, represent two ground-breaking initiatives to make Canada’s mining industry more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Manitoba, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Northwest Territories and Yukon said they would work together on examining efforts that have been or are currently underway to reduce diesel use in remote communities. They will also make recommendations on next steps.

B.C. and N.S, in turn, vowed to share research and technology related to tidal energy, as well as best practices in regulations and permitting.

Over $1.4 million in research grants were announced yesterday to finance groups in N.S., B.C. and the United Kingdom, who will work together to better understand the effect tidal technology has on the marine environment and vice versa.

Two projects were selected for funding through a partnership between the Offshore Energy Research Association, a N.S. based not-for-profit research group, and Innovate UK, a government-funded business and innovation organization.

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