Electrical Business

Features Energy & Power Generation

CEA applauds EPA recognition of Canadian electricity exports

August 4, 2015 | By Anthony Capkun


August 4, 2015 – The Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) says it is “pleased to see electricity exports from Canada included among the many greenhouse gas [GHG] reduction options made available to U.S. states under the final version of the Clean Power Plan”, which was issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Under the new regulation, EPA has assigned each U.S. state a specific target for reducing GHG emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired power plants. The rule identifies a menu of solutions states can apply to meet their respective targets, and affirms that the use of non-emitting resources from outside the U.S. is an acceptable strategy (so long as imported energy meets the same compliance conditions as non-emitting energy produced in the States).

“Along with a diverse community of U.S. state, utility, business and environmental partners, we believe that the integration of the U.S. and Canadian power systems can help maximize the clean energy potential of North America,” said CEA president & CEO, Sergio Marchi.

Citing “abundant hydropower resources, a sizeable nuclear fleet and expanding renewable production”, CEA insists Canada boasts one of the cleanest supply mixes in the world, with about 80% non-GHG-emitting generation. The majority of electricity exports to the States involve the sale of surplus output from hydro-producing provinces, such as British Columbia, Manitoba and Quebec, and from nuclear and hydro supplies in Ontario, notes CEA. Cross-border trade is expected to continue growing through development of new clean energy sources in Canada, CEA added, such as the Lower Churchill hydropower projects in Labrador.

Advertisement

“As the focus now shifts to implementing the Clean Power Plan at the state and regional level, CEA looks forward to working with EPA, states and other stakeholders—in particular, on satisfying the criteria set forth by EPA to ensure a level playing field on which Canadian resources can contribute,” added Marchi.


Print this page

Advertisement

Stories continue below