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NOVA SCOTIA POVERTY AND ENERGY POLICY A submission to the NS Energy Strategy Process Phil Thompson Saltmarsh Island Institute April 2001 902-499-0365 We once advanced toward a Nova Scotian Conserver Society, responding dramatically to the OPEC oil crisis of 1973. Houses were insulated, carpool parking lots built, bicycle lanes constructed, industry retrofitted, government made policies for buildings. By the 80's all Canadians had conserved so much energy, by responding both to price shocks and federal information programs, that federal government revenue predictions from the sale of gas & oil fell from $75 billion to $25 billion over five years. This was too much for provincial and federal politicians, who virtually cancelled programs promoting conservation and renewable energy. Efficiency in the 90's became doing more with fewer people...rather than doing more with less energy...this resulted in major dislocations of workers everywhere. Each energy-intensive choice to automate, use larger equipment, get a bigger tax write-off, avoid hiring workers, do it with machines....each choice has dislocated the semiskilled who crowd in urban areas huddled in old blankets, while those who made the decision to dislocate them drive by, one to a car, in V6 luxury. Is this a just society? Nova Scotia needs a balanced intermediate technology approach with appropriate fiscal and legislative measures to employ more people, particularly the less skilled, and stop replacing them with energy intensive equipment. Currently, in most sectors, there is a tax benefit for buying energy intensive equipment, but a tax (payroll deduction) disincentive for hiring workers. This must end if we are to achieve social fairness. If the increasing costs of expanding urban highways could be redirected toward jobs and housing for our homeless, if changing to smaller longline fishing vessels can conserve the fish and hire more fishers, if ending clearcutting with massive machines leads to selective cutting by small crews of people with chainsaws, if we can be more energy efficient AND employ more people why aren't we doing it? Summary of existing debate/discussion One side of the debate states: "It's a free society and I can use all the resources I can afford, anyway I want." This argument is generally supported within government, which often takes the position that energy conservation and renewable energy implementation must take place without lifestyle considerations. The other side of the debate states: "There are limits to growth, and limits to resources. You may, in a free society, use whatever resources you like...but you are personally responsible for the downstream impact of these choices on others, and must pay the full cost ." This argument suggests lifestyle matters....and inappropriate lifestyle choices have led to our using nearly 40 times of the earth's resources per person, than people in developing countries, or, indeed, our own poor. Some quotes which indicate the complexity of this issue: " We need to reduce energy consumption, but we don't want to do it if it affects our lifestyle." (suburban couple) " If the climate is going to change...we have to hurry up and use everything before it is gone." (Maritime sawmill operator) "If we don't keep driving cars alone to work, car manufacturers will lose jobs, but if we keep driving cars to work, we won't be able to breathe in our city." (Urban planner) "I really want to help the environment, but I don't have time. Worrying about the world makes me want to start smoking again...." (NS survey respondent) " The homeless people can't shovel sidewalks...that's why we need these machines." (urban civic worker) "Now these big tree harvesters...they have to clearcut so they can cover their fuel and operating costs...why should I hire men with chainsaws? I get a big tax write-off for the machine....the men just cost me more money...." (forester) "I used to hire 12 men with tractors every year, but now I can do all my land alone with one quarter million dollar machine...don't have to bother with hiring...." (valley farmer) "There is no evidence that human activity makes any contribution to climate change." (Senior engineer at coal power plant) "If I put meters in all my housing units, the tenants might start caring about power bills...I got a mark up on that power now, and welfare pays their rent....so why bother? (Halifax landlord) "We work hard to teach students environmental issues by example, but all it takes is one person in the school to use power wastefully...and all we have saved is lost. There are no policies." (Teacher, SEEDS program) "We used to walk to this beach from the project, but now the seadoos come flyin' over from the other side of the lake and scare us outa the water..." (single mom, Dartmouth) "They've been laying off caretakers since 1991, when teachers got the big raise...now the schools are mouldy, roofs leak, power bills have gone up...we were the only people working in the schools who SAVED the board money! (School caretaker, Port Hawkesbury) " This trawler uses lots a fuel draggin, that's why we gotta throw the small fish over...we can only afford t' keep the big ones now, hey? " (Fishing captain, offshore, before the cod moratorium) "Course I like my 4x4...got a big V8...lots of power...it's all a write off too...." (self employed florist describing delivery vehicle) "Of course natural gas is going to cost more in Nova Scotia, OPEC just put up the price for oil! (Sempra Executive) PROPOSED SERIES OF QUESTIONS THAT NEED ANSWERS: These questions seek to identify policy options to improve the life of all Nova Scotians by examining the impact of wasteful energy practices. 1/ How Can We Shelter our Poor against Rising Energy Costs? Why do low-income people have the highest energy costs? Why is it legal for public utilities to cut off power to the poor? Who benefits from subsidized energy costs in public housing? Where are programs to help the poor reduce energy costs? Who has been economically displaced by energy policy decisions? 2/ What are some Opportunities and Barriers for Low Income Earners? What are effects of environmentally destructive energy use on the poor? What is the effect of highspeed highways on energy, pollution and the poor? Could solar greenhouses on urban rooftops change the lives of our poor? Why aren’t NS-built solar hot water heating systems on our public housing? 3/ How has the High Cost of Transportation Energy Affected Us? Why have trucks replaced trains when trucks are less efficient? What is the energy efficiency rating of a bicycle? Why are Nova Scotians back to commuting one to a car? What is the effect of inefficient aircraft on high airfares? Why is there so little development of public transit here? 4/ Why isn't our Housing as Efficient as it Could Be? Why have our energy efficient houses led to higher electrical consumption? Why doesn't the number of people served by energy count? Why do energy efficient refrigerators use more power than they need? Why are appliances “on”, after we turn them “off”, what does this cost? Why are operating costs of inefficient equipment allowed as tax write-offs? 5/ What is the Relationship between Energy Choices and Jobs in Industry? What is the relationship of boat size and fuel costs to overfishing? To jobs? What is the relationship between forest clearcutting and mechanization? Why do NS farmers use ten times more energy than Chinese farmers? What is the energy and job cost of importing out-of-season foods? 6/ Why Do Energy Prices Break All Other Economic Rules? How can the price for all energy be linked to oil? What about competition? Why are there subsidies for high prices, but no programs to reduce usage? Why does wind electricity cost more than other forms, but less to produce? How does selling energy to the U.S. affect our common economic future ? 7/ Climate Change Action : Where are Jobs for Nova Scotians? Climate change: what are the missed opportunities for general job creation? What is the relationship between energy use, garbage, and jobs? How many low-skilled jobs could be produced by provincial energy program? Who benefits from inefficient suburbs? Can they be made efficient? 8/ The Nova Scotian Conserver Society - Possible or Essential? What ever happened to the Nova Scotian Conserver Society? Low cost appropriate technology - why do we sell to the world, but not here? How could intermediate technologies help alleviate local poverty? How did we become the energy and garbage gluttons of the world? 9/ Education and Institutions: why no control over Energy Budgets? Have most schools become energy gluttons? What does this teach our kids? Why are there few clear policies on energy use in our institutions? What are the main barriers to reducing energy consumption in NS? How does turning off lights at work relate to the increase in homelessness? What is the effect of owners marking up energy costs in leased buildings? 10/ Are there Disincentives to Energy Conservation? What Else Suffers? Why do managers of institutions refuse to participate in energy programs? Why don't office workers care about energy costs at work? Who pays? Has the government marginalized conservation and renewable energy? What relationship have energy advertisers to suppression of information? Who are our pioneers of energy conservation and alternative energy? Centralized vs decentralized power generation: which way to go? Who knows the answers? It’s time to find out....and time to make an energy strategy that cares about all Nova Scotians. Not just the ones leaving $1,000 tips at oil & gas lunch meetings in Halifax. Bibliography Energy Alternatives - House of Commons Special Committee Report The Energy Squeeze - Canadian Policies for Survival - Wilson - Lorimer The Recycling Problem - Energy Policy for Eighties - Ontario Economic Council The Economics of Energy - Webb - MacMillan Geopolitics of Oil - US Senate committee Report Environmental, Operational and Economic Aspects of 13 Selected Energy Techologies - EPA Report 600-7-80-173 Environmental Impacts: Production and Use of Energy - United Nations report World Energy Supplies - United Nations Report - Series J #22 Energy Consumption in Canada since Confederation - Energy Policy Journal Energy in The Economy - Slesser- St Martins Press Energy Use in Canada in Comparison with Other Countries - Study #9 - CERI Non-technical Obstacles to the Use of Solar Energy - Sewell - EM&R report Natural Resources-Economics of Conservation - Scott- MacLelland & Stewart International Energy Strategies - MIT Report - Cambridge, Mass. Energy Policy - The Global Challenge - Nemetz - IRPP Report World Energy Strategies -Lovins - Harper & Row Energy and Economic Development - Kraul - Natural Resource Forum Subsidized Energy Schemes - Joskow & Pindyck - Wall Street Journal Energy Research Development and Demonstration in the IEA Countries - OECD Economics of Increased Penetration of Solar Energy - Hudson, Energy Journal Energy in Canada - Review and Outlook to 1995 - CERI Report The Effect of Rising Energy Costs on Canadian Industries - Ellison - CERI World Energy - Looking ahead to 2020 - World Energy Conference Report Canadian Energy Trends - Enerdata Report - Toronto Energy Information Handbook - Energy Mines & Resources Renewable Energy in Remote Locations - EM&R report ER80-10-E An Energy Policy for Canada - EM&R Report Economic Impact of Low Energy Growth for Canada-Brooks -Economic Council Zero Energy Growth for Canada - Brooks - MacMillan Annual Report - Brace Institute M39 , MacDonald College, McGill University Canada's Energy Crisis - Laxer - Toronto Small is Beautiful - Economics as Though People Mattered - Schumacher - A Guide for the Perplexed - Schumacher - Harper & Row Good Work - Schumacher - Harper & Row Experiences in Appropriate Technology -Mitchell -Canadian Hunger Foundation Understanding Canada - Lotz - NC Press Energy Conservation - Knelman - Science Council of Canada Report #33 Roads to Energy Self-Reliance - Science Council of Canada Report #30 Canada as a Conserver Society - Scienc Council of Canada Report #27 Canada's Energy Opportunities - Science Council of Canada Report #23 Human Goals and Science Policy - Science Council of Canada Report #38 Energy/Global Prospects 1985-2000 - Workshop Alternative Energy MIT The Sane Alternative - Robertson - Villiers Appropriate Technology - Problems and Promises - OECD Report - Paris Energy Conservation & Community Economic Development - EM&R Report Conservation of Energy in Housing - CMHC guidebook Atlantic Canada Community Energy Strategy Sourcebook - Choyce/Thompson Energy Futures for Canadians - EM&R Report # EP-78-1 Conserver Society Notes - Goodacre - RCBC Report The Garbage Book - Office of Energy Conservation - ENERSAVE guidebook GLUT - Communications Branch Resourcebook - Alberta Environment Dept. Food and Energy - An Action Guide for Groups - Community Energy Kit - EM&R Canadian Food & Agriculture - Sustainability and Self-reliance - Science Council of Canada Energy and the Food System - Agriculture Canada Food System Branch Without Wheels - Alternatives to the Private Car - Bendixson - Indiana University Press Transportation and Energy Action Guide - Community Energy Kit - EM&R Energy, Jobs and the Economy - Grossman - Alyson Press The Poverty of Power - Energy and Economic Crisis - Commoner - Bantam Energy - The Case for Conservation - Hayes - Worldwatch Institute Environmentally Appropriate Technology - EN102-1/15 - Environment Canada The SunBuilders - A People's Guide to Solar, Wind and Wood Energy - Renewable Energy Low-cost Energy Efficient Shelter - Eccli - Rodale Press 10th Annual Wind/Diesel Workshop - CanWEAReport - Daltech Handbook of Appropriate Technology - Brace Institute - McGill University Energy Conservation at the Municipal Level - Conference Report - CPAC Energy and Fish Harvesting - Scott - Fisheries and Ocenas Canada Sustainable Choices for the 90s - Conference Proceedings - SESCI 2025 - Soft Energy Path Futures for Canada -- Friends of the Earth Energy and Canadians into the 21st Century - Energy Options Report - EM&R Global Energy Issues - Vol 3 #1 - UNESCO Managers Guide to Creating Awareness of Energy Efficiency - NRCAN Guide Energy Supply/Demand in NWT - Adelar- Energy Probe - Ministry of Energy Analysis of Residential Energy Audit Activity in North America - IBI Group NS Conservation/Renewable Energy Study of Total Environment - Thompson Greenhouse Agriculture - Appropriate Technology and Business Development Energy for Marine Applications - Stiles - Unpublished paper Home Energy Retrofit in Canada - Overview and Opportunities - NRCAN Report Energy Innovators - Enery Performance Contracting - EM&R Energy Management Planning - an overview - NRCAN Schoolhouses in the Green - Toronto School Board report. Energy Savings in Hospitals - CADDETT Report #20 - NRCAN Energy Efficient Lighting in Commercial Buildings - CADDETT Report #6 Surrey School District - A textbook example of energy efficiency --NRCAN Federal Buildings Initiative - Audit Standards Guideline - NRCAN Green Power Procurement Workshop - Passmore Associates International Enerinfo Residential Newsletter - DalTech - CREEDAC program Construction and the Environment - How Home Builders and Rennovators can help Build a Green Future - NHA 6719 - CMHC Energy Efficiency in Multi-unit Residential Buildings - NHA 5492- CMHC Switch the Lights OFF! Lighting Design and Application - Rea - NRCC 27472 Home Energy Appropriate Technology Kit - Thompson - EM&R report # 2.7.1 Energy Conservation - What Schools Can Do - Journal of Education Article Energy Conservation in Existing School Buildings - Jones - NRC Paper To Have or to Be - Eric Fromm -Harper & Row -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- The preceding message was posted on Sustainable Maritimes (sust-mar) -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- A word from our lawyers ... Don't forget ... COPYRIGHT material, such as newspaper/magazine articles cannot be posted on sust-mar without the owner's permission. It's against the law. CROSS-POSTINGS (messages from other lists) are also discouraged. In either case, why not tell us something about the issue in your own words? Or ... send a clipping along with the URL where the original can be found, or directions how to join the list it came from? 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