Environmentalists challenge biomass plan
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.
Related News

EV Fires Raise Health Concerns for Firefighters
MIAMI - As electric vehicles (EVs) become more popular, the risks posed by EV fires to firefighters are becoming an increasing concern. These fires, fueled by the high-capacity lithium-ion batteries in EVs, produce dangerous chemical exposures that could have serious long-term health implications for first responders.
Claudine Buzzo, a firefighter and cancer survivor, knows firsthand the dangers that come with the profession. She’s faced personal health battles, including rare pancreatic cancer and breast cancer, both of which she attributes to the hazards of firefighting. Now, as the shift towards electric vehicles increases, Buzzo and her colleagues are concerned about how…