Environmentalists challenge biomass plan

NOVA SCOTIA - Nova Scotia's renewable electricity plan is under fire from a prominent environmental group.

The Ecology Action Centre is calling for a five-year moratorium on the burning of waste wood - known as biomass - to produce electricity.

Biomass, which includes wood shavings and junk logs, is a key part of the province's plan to reduce its dependence on coal.

There are concerns, however, that the plan will lead to more clear-cutting.

"The forest cannot be sacrificed on the altar of quick, cheap electricity," said Ray Plourde, wilderness co-ordinator at the 37-year-old ecological organization.

The government is promising new regulations to prevent that.

"If we don't change policy, then there's probably going to be more clear-cutting," said Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell.

In April, the government announced a target for 40 per cent of all electricity to come from renewable sources by 2020.

But Plourde said burning biomass comes at too high a cost.

"At the end of the day, these targets and the word 'renewable' are almost becoming corrupted. We don't feel burning the forest for electricity is green at all," he said.