Month: May 2016

For Immediate Release
May 18, 2016

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is concerned by a news story this week indicating that, in a February report to the Public Utilities Board (PUB), Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is prepared to use the Maritime Link and Labrador-Island Link to import power.

“Industry has been asking for access to the energy grid for years but has been – and continues to be – denied that access,” says Ted Lomond, Executive Director of NEIA. “To discover that we are now considering purchasing power from outside the province is perplexing and upsetting.”

The report notes that continued dry weather conditions means the reservoir at the Bay d’Espoir generating station is low and significantly more oil is being burnt in Holyrood at a high cost. This, in conjunction with the delays associated with the Muskrat Falls project, has required that NL Hydro look for alternatives to meet energy demands.

“Newfoundland and Labrador is rich in renewable energy potential,” notes Lomond. “However, legislation has prohibited any development as there are no programs in place allow new electricity to be fed in to the system”. Lomond says that the province is one of the only jurisdictions in North America to not have a net metering program in place, and that NEIA has been advocating for years for its implementation.

“From small scale projects designed to power individual homes and businesses to large scale offshore wind farm developments, there are made-right-here solutions for our energy needs that would create local jobs, support local companies, and drive local innovation and technology development,” says Lomond. “But our regulatory framework has discouraged the diversification of our economy and now has put us in a position where we may have to consider paying to import something we quite easily could have provided for ourselves.”

Lomond says that these outdated energy regulations are impairing economic development in Newfoundland and Labrador in a number of ways. “Industries are finding themselves at a disadvantage because they cannot use renewable energy technologies in their facilities like their competitors can; entrepreneurs are unable to pursue the development of their ideas and technologies in what is a rapidly growing sector globally; while homeowners and businesses continue to be denied the opportunity to reduce their individual energy costs.” Lomond says that, while the 2016 Federal Budget is providing significant funds and growth opportunities for green and clean initiatives, the current provincial policy framework will act as a barrier to Newfoundland and Labrador receiving its fair share.

Even businesses hoping to secure international contracts are being affected, says Lomond. “Our firms are finding themselves at a disadvantage for not having the opportunity to use, test, or integrate their products and services with renewable technologies that have become standard in most major markets.”

“The province needs to exercise the leadership required to address these issues,” says Lomond.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

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Media Contact
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org
709.237.8190

For Immediate Release
May 13, 2016

ST. JOHN’S, NL – Exports from this province are expected to grow by 18 per cent in 2017 says Export Development Canada’s (EDC) Vice-President and Chief Economist Peter Hall. This week the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) held its annual Let’s Talk Exports event – an annual partnership with EDC which features Hall.

“Let’s Talk Exports provides a chance for local firms to get the most up-to-date information available on what the global economy has in store for their sector,” says Ted Lomond, Executive Director of NEIA.

With over 25 years of experience in economic analysis and forecasting, Peter Hall is responsible for overseeing EDC’s economic analysis, country risk assessment and corporate research groups. He says that Newfoundland and Labrador’s long-term outlook is promising, and that the province will see Canada’s most dramatic turnaround in export performance from this year to next.

“Supporting local business in their international activities is critical for our economy,” says Lomond. “Every dollar earned outside of Newfoundland and Labrador by a local firm is new money circulating within the province. These activities have a substantial impact on a local economy, and can contribute significantly to its diversification.”

Let’s Talk Exports complements NEIA’s extensive work supporting international business development for firms in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“In 2013 NEIA created its Export and International Business Network,” says Lomond. “This network is a group of firms conducting business, or looking to explore opportunities, abroad. Together, working cooperatively, these businesses can achieve much more than if they were working alone.”

While originally consisting exclusively of environmental sector firms, the network’s success has attracted businesses in a variety of sectors. In 2015 NEIA worked with over 25 firms interested in the Caribbean and Turkey to develop entry strategies, and led three separate business development missions to the Caribbean. “This activity would not have been possible without the support of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the province’s Department of Business, Tourism, Culture, and Rural Development,” says Lomond.

NEIA allows members of the network to independently identify markets of mutual interest before pursuing supports. “We take a stage-gated approach in international business development,” Lomond notes. “Once a market is identified by the network, NEIA will work to validate opportunities through information sessions and organizing incoming delegations. If interest remains, market entry strategies will be prepared for each firm. Only after this preparatory work has been completed will we organize a strategic trade mission to the market itself.” Lomond says that NEIA looks forward to continuing to build the close relationships it is developing in key markets.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. More information can be found at https://neia.org. More information on the Export and International Business Network can be found at https://neia.org/network.

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Media Contact
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org
709.237.8190