Month: April 2018

For Immediate Release
April 24, 2018

The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is welcoming a government commitment to develop a renewable energy plan for the province. The commitment was made as part of the province’s Way Forward announcement this afternoon.

“We are very pleased that the province is recognizing the economic development potential that renewable energy presents for Newfoundland and Labrador” said Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director.

Hanley said that supporting the pursuit of renewable energy technologies, from offshore wind to tidal energy, can help drive innovation and business growth in the province. “We have enormous resources that have gone untapped here in Newfoundland and Labrador; there is interest in their development from the private sector, but industry needs government’s assistance to break down barriers to development.” As such, Hanley says NEIA is delighted with government’s commitment to work together with stakeholders towards a plan.

“An effective renewable energy plan has the potential to increase competitiveness at the individual firm-level, complement the activities of and provide new opportunities for firms working within our existing energy sectors, and also open the door to new industrial development,” Hanley said. “We are excited to contribute what we can to the creation of the plan.’

Support for clean technology

The Way Forward: Building Our Future also committed to working with partners to find opportunities to develop and deploy clean technologies.

“The prospects for clean technology development are significant,” said Hanley, noting recent reports predict that the global market for clean technologies is forecast to grow to $2.5 trillion by 2022, more than doubling its size from 2011.

“Natural resource industries have been identified consistently as a possible competitive advantage for Canada in clean technology development,” said Hanley. “There is a real opportunity for us to leverage our expertise in our key industries here in Newfoundland and Labrador – such as oil and gas, mining, aquaculture, and forestry – and apply it from the perspective of clean growth.” Hanley said this approach will not only contribute to a more sustainable future for industries key to the provincial economy, “but also help grow business and create jobs through the export of these solutions… in what are global industries.”

Hanley says it makes sense for the province to identify clean technology as a priority, given that it is a top focus of the federal government. “NEIA has ideas on how we as a province can make the most of federal investments in clean technology, and we would welcome an opportunity to share those with decision-makers.”

The Way Forward: Building Our Future document can be viewed here.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at www.neia.org.

Media Contact
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org

For Immediate Release
April 2, 2018

ST. JOHN’S, NL – On March 21st, 2018 the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) and its network celebrated the first ever generation, verification, and sale of carbon credits in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Sharp Management Inc., through the design and implementation of engineered wetlands to treat sewage wastewater in the towns of Stephenville and Appleton/Glenwood, has acquired certification of 55,071 carbon credits from offsetting emissions of 50,000 tonnes of CO2, on these projects.

“This is a significant milestone in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director. “NEIA promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in in this province, and what Sharp Management has achieved is a perfect illustration of the kinds of opportunities that exist in our sector.” Hanley said that Sharp is providing an excellent example for the province’s startup and entrepreneur communities, “… showing us that there is much to gain from providing solutions that are effective, efficient, and environmentally sustainable.”

“Making this truly significant,” said Hanley, “is that the municipalities in our province that had the foresight to invest in clean technology are going to be rewarded for their efforts.” Revenues generated from the sale of credits will be split 50/50 with Stephenville, Appleton, and Glenwood who made the investment in the sustainable technology.

The celebration took place at the Alt Hotel in St. John’s, and attracted over 100 interested stakeholders. Premier Dwight Ball was among those in attendance, and spoke to the provincial government’s support for the clean technology sector in Newfoundland and Labrador. As a gesture of support, Premier Ball indicated that the province would be among the first to buy credits.

For a 3-month period, credits will be available exclusively within this province as limited ‘first ever’ carbon credits from Newfoundland and Labrador. “NEIA is very proud to have purchased and now be the owner of the fourth ever carbon credit generated in this province,” said Hanley. The first three credits were given to Stephenville, Appleton, and Glenwood. “Congratulations to Sharp Management, and to our municipalities. This truly is an occasion to celebrate.”

For more information on the carbon credits, Sharp Management can be contacted at glenn@sharpemgmt.ca.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

Media Contact
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org