As part of the government’s plan to improve economic and environmental performance and support high-quality jobs, defence minister Peter MacKay has announced three new investments worth $43 million that support renewable and clean energy projects across Nova Scotia.

The funding will go towards Northern Pulp Nova Scotia Corporation’s pulp mill in New Glasgow, and Nova Scotia Power and the Point Tupper Wind Farm, both operated by Renewable Energy Services Limited.

“This investment in clean energy technologies stimulates the growth of our domestic clean energy industry, creates high-quality jobs for Nova Scotians and helps to protect and preserve our environment,” said MacKay.

Northern Pulp will receive $28.1 million from the federal Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program for three projects that will help the mill reduce odour emissions, increase renewable energy production and improve environmental performance.

$8.2 million will go towards Nova Scotia Power to support the development of a biomass co-firing project–a project that consists of generating clean, renewable electricity from waste wood to displace 10 percent of the coal currently used at the plant.

An additional investment of about $6.75 million over ten years will support the Point Tupper Wind Farm in Port Hawkesbury. The wind farm consists of 11 turbines for a total capacity of 22 megawatts of emissions-free electricity.

The government has developed a suite of policies and programs to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020–a target aligned with the United States.

“Moving forward aggressively with investments in clean energy technologies will help us reach our target and balance our need for energy with our need to protect the environment,” said MacKay.