**** CNS Media Release
Province Purchasing New Helicopter Water Bombers
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The Province is taking advantage of federal funding to replace its fleet of four helicopter water bombers.
“Being prepared for emergencies such as wildfires is critical to protecting communities and Nova Scotians. That’s why we’re considering all options and are upgrading our fleet of helicopters to ensure we can manage wildfires in the future,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables. “Helicopters are very effective in fighting wildfires and they also serve us well for other uses. We’re grateful for our partnership with the federal government to support this major equipment purchase.”
The Province has started the procurement process to replace the fleet over four years. The cost is subject to negotiation with the supplier.
While fighting wildfires, helicopters can scoop and dump water on a faster rotation than fixed-wing aircraft, dropping a higher volume in total on a wildfire. They can also draw water from smaller water bodies, making good use of Nova Scotia’s many lakes and ponds. Some fixed-wing aircraft need to land to reload, and others can only scoop from a large lake or the ocean.
Nova Scotia’s fleet of helicopters is also versatile, supporting search and rescue efforts, transporting people and equipment during emergencies and conducting aerial surveillance to support the work of several departments.
A federal-provincial agreement on wildfire equipment and training is in place from 2022-27, with each level of government contributing $12.8 million. That will cover the cost of the helicopters and other equipment and training.
Quick Facts:
— this year was Nova Scotia’s most severe wildfire season on record, with major fires in Halifax Regional Municipality and Shelburne County
— the current fleet of helicopters was purchased in 2016
— Nova Scotia has existing arrangements with other provinces to share their aircraft if and when needed; the wait list to buy a fixed wing aircraft can be up to 10 years
— the Department will release its after-action report for the 2023 wildfires in time to inform decisions for next season
Additional Resources:
Federal wildfire equipment funding announcement: https://www.canada.ca/en/natural-resources-canada/news/2023/09/government-of-canada-commits-significant-funding-for-wildfire-equipment-and-provides-update-on-2023-wildland-fire-season-forecast.html
Procurement information is available at: https://procurement-portal.novascotia.ca/tenders
Natural Resources and Renewables on the X platform, formerly Twitter: https://twitter.com/NS_DNRR
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Province Releases Green Hydrogen Action Plan
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A new action plan will help grow Nova Scotia’s green hydrogen industry and advance the transition to clean energy.
“Nova Scotia is poised to be a world leader in the production of green hydrogen, which will help us and our global partners develop our green economies and fight climate change,” said Premier Tim Houston. “With this action plan, we’re continuing our work with businesses and communities to take advantage of this unique opportunity that will bring benefits to Nova Scotians for generations to come.”
The Green Hydrogen Action Plan, which includes seven goals and 23 actions, will help develop the sector in alignment with the Province’s climate change goals. It will support both domestic use and export of green hydrogen and is focused on safety, a strong and skilled workforce, research and innovation, and opportunities for public engagement.
Green hydrogen can be used in Nova Scotia to help with the move to clean fuels for transportation and industrial uses. It can also be used globally in the move to clean energy, which creates significant export opportunities for Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia’s clean energy leadership and prime location for export to Europe are among the reasons it is sought after for large-scale green hydrogen production.
While developers are getting started with onshore wind, they will scale up using some of the world’s best offshore wind resources off Nova Scotia’s coast. To help spur development, the Province has set a target to offer seabed leases for five gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030.
Developing a Green Hydrogen Action Plan is a commitment in Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth, which will help create a cleaner and more sustainable future for all Nova Scotians by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy efficiency and helping homes and buildings become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
Quotes:
“Green hydrogen can help us reach our climate change goals in Nova Scotia and also put us on the world stage as an exporter of clean energy. This action plan will guide the government and all our partners in a united effort to develop this sector in ways that create green jobs for Nova Scotians and contribute to our broader plans for a clean, sustainable future.”
– Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables
“The release of the Province’s Green Hydrogen Action Plan will help set a foundation from which industry and community can plan for the transition to cleaner fuels, eventually tapping into our world-class offshore wind resource.”
– Brenda Chisholm-Beaton, Mayor, Port Hawkesbury; co-chair, Strait of Canso Offshore Wind Taskforce
“Here in the Strait area, we have multiple hydrogen projects being proposed, so having a broad plan in place will help create certainty and confidence for our developers as they advance plans for commercial-scale green production facilities.”
– Amanda Mombourquette, Warden, Richmond County; co-chair, Strait of Canso Offshore Wind Taskforce
Quick Facts:
— green hydrogen has the potential to help Nova Scotia achieve its goal of reaching net zero by 2050 and support a global transition to a low-carbon energy future
— Nova Scotia is committed to the responsible development of its natural resources, balancing environmental, social and economic interests
Additional Resources:
Nova Scotia’s Green Hydrogen Action Plan is available at: https://novascotia.ca/green-hydrogen
News release – Province Sets Offshore Wind Target: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20220920003
Nova Scotia’s climate change plan: https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/ns-climate-change-plan.pdf
Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act:
https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/environmental%20goals%20and%20climate%20change%20reduction.pdf
