INVERNESS – Inverness MLA Allan MacMaster has applauded today’s decision by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board to approve an application by NewPage Port Hawkesbury Corp. and Nova Scotia Power Inc. to build a biomass power project.

“The UARB decision to green light this exciting new biomass project at Point Tupper is great news for our region. On top of the $208-million dollar investment, an estimated 150 new jobs will be created,” said MacMaster. “I have been lobbying for this project since I became MLA and I am pleased to the UARB also saw the value in it.”

The UARB also ruled that if the cost of energy increases, NSPI will not be permitted to pass the cost on to customers.

“Protecting Nova Scotians is key and I was pleased to see that it was made clear that escalations in the price of the project cannot be passed on to consumers,” said MacMaster. “Nova Scotia has the potential to become a leader in renewable energy in Atlantic Canada and this is a big step forward to making that happen.”

The UARB has indicated they would like the new facility to be operational by 2012 to help meet Nova Scotia’s renewable electricity targets.

Once operational, the proposed co-generation plant could potentially supply up to 400 GWh a year – equal to three per cent of Nova Scotia’s electricity needs.

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