Environment and Conservation
Municipal Affairs
Natural Resources
Transportation and Works
Human Resources, Labour and Employment
March 26, 2009

A Green Investment: Budget 2009 Invests in the Environment

Protecting the environment remains a priority for the Williams Government, and Budget 2009 has made significant investments to ensure that the environmental footprint on the province is limited. Measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, assess environmental impacts, and support climate change adaptation efforts are part of the Provincial Government�s ongoing focus on the sustainability of Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Adopting sustainable principles is fundamental to good environmental management," said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. "We recognize the need for development that meets the needs of the current generation, without compromising the ability of our future generations to meet their needs. What we do today will build a better environment and a brighter future for our children, and we are making every effort to be a green, environmentally-responsible government."

Respecting the province�s natural heritage and building upon existing environmental initiatives, Budget 2009 outlines support for remediation of contaminated sites in the province, development of mechanisms and standards to deal with climate change impacts, assessment of large-scale projects and abandoned mines, programs to promote energy efficiency, and a number of other efforts aimed at sustaining the environment and maintaining healthy ecosystems.

"It is imperative that we recognize that our natural environment is one of our most important economic assets," said Minister Johnson. "We are working diligently to reduce the adverse impacts of our activities on climate change and the environment overall, so as to safeguard and improve the health of our province�s ecosystems. We are making sound management decisions that will assist us with our conservation and protection agenda."

Protecting the Environment

"With our abundance of clean energy resources, the province is well positioned to pursue sustainable resource developments that reduce our environmental footprint," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources. "These developments will not only create significant opportunities in our communities, but will establish us as environmental leaders in a world hungry for clean energy."

  • Remediation of Contaminated Sites Budget 2009 includes $10.4 million in the Departments of Environment and Conservation, and Natural Resources for the assessment and remediation of government-owned contaminated sites in the province.  Remediation efforts will take place in Hopedale, Northwest Point, New Harbour Barrens, and Baie Verte and Rambler Mines. This investment also allows for assessment of major former mines at Buchans, and Whalesback at Notre Dame Bay.
  • Climate Change Adaptation Solutions � Budget 2009 allocates $1.3 million in the Department of Environment and Conservation towards the development of the necessary tools, policies and strategies to help communities assess and adapt to climate change impacts, in recognition of the necessity to not only reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but also prepare for the eventual impacts of climate change.
  • This also includes the establishment of a new Climate Change Office in Executive Council to provide policy development and analysis on climate change, energy efficiency and emissions trading.
  • Joint Review Panel for the Environmental Assessment of the Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Generation Project � Budget 2009 provides $750,000 in funding within the Department of Environment and Conservation for the environmental assessment of the Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Generation Project. The establishment of a Joint Review Panel allows for the harmonization of federal and provincial environmental assessments of the Lower Churchill Project.
  • The development of the Lower Churchill will not only contribute to the economic stability of the province, but act as a clean source of renewable energy which, in turn, will contribute to GHG reductions in this province and in other jurisdictions.
  • Advancing the Provincial Waste Management Strategy

    "We are committed to an aggressive, long-term waste management solution that will benefit our environment, our communities and our future generations," said the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs. "When the strategy is completed, the number of landfill sites will be greatly reduced, we will divert more of the waste actually going for disposal and our waste management sites will meet modern standards."

    Budget 2009 will invest $9.5 million to advance the Provincial Waste Management Strategy with the following investments:

  • Waste Water Treatment Program � The annual investment in the Department of Municipal Affairs of $4 million under the Capital Works Program towards the appropriate handling of waste water across the province will continue. The Provincial Government will work to upgrade existing untreated sewer outfalls, and use updated systems and technology to ensure waste water is treated before being released into the environment. This will help ensure that discharges do not interfere with the growing aquaculture and tourism industries.
  • Solid Waste Strategy Significant investments were made in modern waste systems in 2008-09 by the Department of Municipal Affairs, primarily at Robin Hood Bay. The continued investment under Budget 2009 will see Robin Hood Bay substantially retrofitted to provide modern waste management for the greater Avalon region. Major investments will also be made this year in the central region of the province, with an aim to consolidate waste for the entire region by 2011. These investments, totalling $5.5 million, will ensure modern systems of waste management for over 50 per cent of the province's population.
  • The Provincial Government has committed to advancing the strategy with full province-wide modern waste management implementation by 2020. It aims to reduce the number of landfill sites and the amount of waste going into landfills in the province by 50 per cent, supported by the use of disposal bans and development of new waste diversion programs.

    Commitment to Safe, Clean Drinking Water

    The Provincial Government will continue its commitment to quality drinking water in the province in 2009-10 with an investment of $7 million in the Departments of Environment and Conservation, and Municipal Affairs for the Drinking Water Safety Initiative.

    This includes $6 million for infrastructure to provide clean, safe drinking water, including potable water dispensing systems. This infrastructure investment is part of the Provincial Government�s $800 million infrastructure package announced on February 18.

    Energy Efficient Alternatives

    Budget 2009 also includes a number of initiatives totalling $5.8 million aimed at making homes and buildings in the province more energy efficient, including a continued focus on health and education infrastructure.

    "The creation of a culture of conservation in Newfoundland and Labrador is an important factor in helping us achieve our environmental goals," said Minister Johnson. "As a government, we are also working toward greener alternatives and energy efficient options that will help us achieve our aim."

  • Newfoundland and Labrador Energuide for Houses Program � The province is investing $1.55 million in the Department of Natural Resources to continue to provide assistance to homeowners for energy audits and to make their homes more energy efficient.
  • Participation in this program will allow homeowners in the province to become more energy efficient, reduce costs, encourage energy conservation practices and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.  The program provides $300 towards the cost of a complete home energy efficiency audit, and tops up the federal ecoEnergy Retrofit Program grant, to a maximum of an additional $1,500 towards the improvements. This will make energy efficiency initiatives for homes much more affordable and help homeowners reduce their energy costs.
  • An investment of $1 million in the Department of Transportation and Works will allow implementation of an energy audit plan for government-owned buildings to study energy efficiency measures and implement features that create immediate results such as replacement of windows, adding insulation, and the replacement of inefficient heating systems.
  • $3.2 million has been allocated for the Residential Energy Efficiency Program (REEP), administered by Newfoundland Labrador Housing. On a first-come, first-served basis, grants of $4,000 per dwelling in Labrador and $3,000 per dwelling on the island will be issued to low-income earners to make their homes more energy efficient.
  • "Our investment in the environment speaks to our dedication to a clean, green, sustainable future in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Johnson. "Conservation efforts and a long-term plan for the protection of our province are vital and are overarching principles

    in all of our decision-making. We owe it to the people of the province to develop good policies and programs that reflect our level of commitment to the environment, and this budget speaks to that level of commitment."

    Additional environmental investments in Budget 2009 include:

  • Continuation of the four-year, $4 million Parks Renewal Program, under the Department of Environment and Conservation, resulting in the implementation of a recycling program in all provincial parks, scenic attractions and ecological reserves in 2009;
  • $550,000 in the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment for the Conservation Corps to create summer employment for students by supporting participation on green teams throughout the province, with focus on promotion of a healthy environment and general community cleanup; and
  • $60,000 in the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment to Evergreen Recycling to support their employment programs.
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    Media contacts:

    Melony O�Neill
    Director of Communications
    Department of Environment and Conservation
    709-729-2575, 689-0928
    moneill@gov.nl.ca
    Susanne Hiller
    Director of Communications
    Department of Municipal Affairs
    709-729-1983, 690-2498
    SusanneHiller@gov.nl.ca
    Tracy Barron
    Director of Communications
    Department of Natural Resources
    709-729-5282, 690-8241
    tracybarron@gov.nl.ca
    David Salter
    Director of Communications
    Department of Transportation and Works
    709-729-3015, 691-3577
    davidsalter@gov.nl.ca
    Jennifer Collingwood
    Director of Communications
    Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
    709-729-0753, 690-2498
    jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca
     

    2009 03 26                                                        2:10 p.m.
     


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