Category: News Release

For Immediate Release
June 22, 2018

This week the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) hosted an Atlantic Canada Offshore Clean Technology Pavilion at the Petroleum Show and Exhibition in St. John’s, NL.

“We see an enormous opportunity for the development and application of clean technologies in our offshore industries,” said Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director. “The region is well positioned to leverage its expertise in ocean industries to develop solutions that will contribute to the long term economic and environmental sustainability of some of our key industries.”

Hanley said that NEIA is developing a strategy to foster clean innovation in offshore industries – solutions related to addressing efficiencies, wastes, emissions, and environmental risks. “We have worked with industry leaders to identify challenges and opportunities for clean technology development,” said Hanley. “Now we are exploring how we can communicate these opportunities to those that are inclined to pursue them – entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovative businesses.”

Hanley said that the pavilion, and the eight firms it highlighted, helped to introduce the global potential for clean technology within offshore industries. “The world is unquestionably moving towards a lower carbon economy – and the solutions we develop here at home to make our industries more efficient and competitive can be exported worldwide.” To stay informed on NEIA’s work in this space, sign up for email updates at www.offshorecleantech.com.

Participants in the pavilion included eight firms from the region that have developed clean technologies: EDGEWISE Environmental; Intelligent Materials and Monitoring; TotaliQ; Kraken Robotics; Marine Industrial Lighting Systems; Ocean Sonics: Oil Filtration Solutions; and Rutter.

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.

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Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org

For Immediate Release
June 6, 2018

ST. JOHN’s (NL) – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) led a delegation of Atlantic Canadian firms last month to the United Kingdom to learn about clean technology opportunities – a mission that included site tours, business-to-business meetings, and participation in the international All-Energy conference.

“This mission helped Atlantic Canadian firms to explore new export markets for their products and services, in a region the has great promise for Canadian business,” said Abbie Lacey, NEIA’s Manager of International Business Development, referencing the recent Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA). Lacey noted that firms were assisted in this regard with matchmaking services provided by in-market consultants.

“This mission also provided firms with an opportunity to learn more about clean technology opportunities relating to energy,” said Lacey. “Collectively, through a number of site-tours throughout the UK and participation in the renowned All-Energy Conference in Glasgow, our delegates gained insight on the business development possibilities associated with the application of clean technology in energy sectors – experience that could only be gained by being introduced to them first-hand in-market.”

The mission was supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the four Atlantic provincial governments through the Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy (ATIGS).

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 Inquiries:
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org

For Immediate Release
May 23, 2018

The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) held its annual Innovation Connector last week, using the event to establish provincial clean technology priorities relating to the oil and gas, mining, aquaculture, and forestry industries.

“The information the business development community acquired through this process will help guide our activities in the clean technology space for many years,” said Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director. “With the help of key stakeholders in these four industries, we have pulled from industry what it sees as being pain points relating to environmental and economic sustainability.”

Hanley says that this information will help NEIA provide targeted guidance to the startup, research, and innovation communities. “We are now able to work proactively with our partners to support the research, development, commercialization, application, and eventually export of clean technologies – in areas of opportunity industry itself has identified.”

NEIA sees significant opportunity for clean technology development in the province, noting that the global market for clean technologies is set to almost triple its size between 2012 and 2022 to over $2.5 trillion. “Reports recognize that Canada’s opportunity to build a competitive advantage relating to clean technology is within its natural resource sectors – and in Newfoundland and Labrador that includes our oil and gas, mining, aquaculture, and forestry industries.”

Hanley says that identifying priorities within these industries from the clean technology perspective was the first step towards building technological competitive advantages within this province. “We look forward to using this information to drive clean technology development in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Clean technology refers to products, processes, and services that improve on environmental performance in support of sustainable development and clean growth. Practically speaking, the use of clean technology can mean improving efficiency, reducing wastes, and/or mitigating the environmental risks of business activity.

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

Ashley Smith (Fundamental Inc.), Jesse McCaw (Wreckhouse Energy), Delia Warren (Iron and Earth East), and Jacob Rodgers (Newfoundland Power) were among the participants on a panel at Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador’s recent Symposium event in Gander.

The panel “Muskrat and Beyond: Alternatives and Savings for Municipalities” zeroed in on the higher electricity rates municipalities can expect to face in the coming years – and what options and opportunities are at their disposal to proactively mitigate rising costs.

To read a news article in The Compass covering this panel, click here.

To learn more about the symposium, click here.

NEIA and its membership is always willing to engage with municipalities on how they can address energy and environmental challenges – don’t hesitate to contact us!

Below is an excerpt from NEIA Chair Alex Templeton’s recent editorial in The Telegram (May 4) on carbon pricing and the establishment of a Clean Technology Innovation Fund.

Click here to read the entire piece.

Expected revenues from carbon pricing aren’t insignificant.

In 2019 Newfoundland and Labrador will likely see tens of millions of dollars, growing to potentially hundreds of millions by 2022. Though other provinces are reinvesting 100 per cent of carbon pricing revenues into programming to help individuals, businesses, and industries deal with rising costs, we accept that Newfoundland and Labrador faces extraordinary fiscal challenges and that this isn’t possible in our jurisdiction.

We do believe that it’s critical to provide some level of support to those industries on which our provincial economy relies, where there may not be ready-made solutions to help reduce carbon pollution. Industry will need help to make the investments required to develop new clean technologies.

As such, NEIA is calling on the province, as part of its carbon pricing plan, to establish a Clean Technology Innovation Fund.

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

For Immediate Release
March 31, 2018

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) has launched a brand new course providing practitioners with project management skills and resources through the lens of an environmental professional – and customized to the regulatory conditions and requirements of the province.

“Extensive consultation with our members and within our networks revealed a need for course materials specific to industrial and regulatory conditions in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director. “Our Environmental and Regulatory Compliance Project Management (ERCPM) course will help participants managing projects – with a focus on those typically seen here in this province – proficiently do so while adhering to environmental needs and regulatory best practices in this jurisdiction.”

The two-day classroom course engages participants through five interactive modules, offering: (1) a refresher on project management principles; (2) a detailed overview of the regulatory environment in Newfoundland and Labrador; (3) considerations for projects and maintaining environmental compliance; (4) insight on the role environmental management systems (EMS) play; and tools for environmental and regulatory project management.

Hanley said that the introduction of the ERCPM course stems from the organization’s strategic plan. “Some years ago, NEIA identified the provision of relevant and quality training and professional development opportunities for its members as a key priority.” Hanley noted that the ERCPM course itself was years in development. “We are pleased to now be presenting this material to practitioners in the province, helping build skill sets and fill knowledge gaps in our green economy.”

The first delivery of the ERCPM course took place on March 22-23, 2018 with a full class. A waitlist is already in place for the next course, which will be delivered later in 2018. More information about the course can be found at https://neia.org/environmental-compliance-regulatory-project-management/ and inquiries regarding registration can be made directly to Hanley at kieran@neia.org.

“We are excited to add the ERCPM course to our training and professional development calendar, and are actively developing a number of other interesting programs as well. Stay tuned.”

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

For Immediate Release
March 30, 2018

ST. JOHN’S, NL – On March 28, 2018, the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) elected its Board of Directors for 2018-19, including the re-appointment of Alex Templeton, an Associate with McInnes Cooper, as the organization’s Chairperson.

NEIA’s Board of Directors guide the strategic activities of NEIA, which are focused on its six ‘lines of business’, providing:

• a support framework for entrepreneurs and startups;
• networks to help increase productivity and competitiveness;
• tools to encourage and foster innovation;
• export and international business development programming;
• training and professional development opportunities tailored to environmental sector employees; and
• leadership on policy and advocacy issues

Members of the 2018-19 Board of Directors include:

• Alex Templeton (Chair) – McInnes Cooper
• Brian Taite (Vice-Chair) – Pinchin LeBlanc Environmental
• Adam Anderson – Resource Innovations Inc.
• Don Drew – Newco Metal and Auto Recycling Ltd.
• Al Ducey – BMSna
• Ashley Noseworthy – EDGEWISE Environmental
• Jonas Roberts – Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions
• Erin Stapleton – Stapleton Environmental Consulting
• Abdul Zubair – Newfoundland Soiltec Inc.

More information on NEIA’s Board of Directors can be found at: https://neia.org/board/.

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.

Media Contact
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org
709.237.8190

For Immediate Release
March 5, 2018

CORNER BROOK, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) was in Corner Brook last week to talk about clean growth opportunities and supports relating to the local manufacturing and forestry industries.

On Tuesday, NEIA’s Executive Director Kieran Hanley presented at the Manufacturing Insights: Green Sustainability for Profit session held by the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME). “The CME talked about the seven forms of green waste found within the sector – energy, water, materials, garbage, transportation, emissions, and biodiversity,” said Hanley. “On behalf of our membership, I was able to provide participants with insight on the local companies that can provide local clean technology and environmental solutions.”

Related: Session in Corner Book drives home green sustainability message
On Wednesday as part of Forestry Innovation Day, NEIA hosted the Bio-Economy Workshop which explored clean growth opportunities within Newfoundland and Labrador’s forestry industry. “There are a number of exciting opportunities within the forestry industry that have potential both from an economic and clean growth perspective,” said Hanley. “With the emergence of the NL Forestry Industry Association, as a community of stakeholders we are becoming well-positioned to pursue these opportunities in partnership.”

Related:

• Major players in Newfoundland and Labrador’s forestry industry have formed a new association
• Workshop hears how Corner Brook Pulp and Paper could divert ash from landfill

Foresty Innovation Day was presented by NEIA in partnership with the Canadian Woodlands Forum, the Newfoundland and Labrador Forestry Industry Association, FPInnovations, and Resource Innovations. More information on the event can be found here.

At both events, Hanley had the opportunity to promote the capabilities of NEIA’s membership, and help stakeholders explore possible funding and support mechanisms available to the to help address needs and pursue initiatives.

Related:

• NEIA creates funding portal for Newfoundland and Labrador firms pursuing clean growth

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