New Nova Scotia Environmental Assessment Changes
On May 8th, 2025, Forest Nova Scotia’s Executive Director, Todd Burgess, joined the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Timothy Halman, as he announced changes to environmental assessments that support the province's transition towards a clean economy.
Changes include:
Creating a clear path for clean energy projects by moving them to the Class I process.
Streamlining the process for biomass projects, thereby creating new opportunities for the province’s forestry sector.
Making the environmental assessment process easier to understand for both companies and the public.
Adding 10 days to the Class I consultation period for the public and Mi’kmaq.
Climate change is now listed in the Minister’s decision factors – this includes both the positive and negative impacts of a project on climate change.
The modifications aim to streamline regulatory processes for low-risk biomass projects, attract investment in the forestry sector, uphold environmental protections, and reflect input from the public and the Mi’kmaq. These changes indicate that the government is dedicated to fostering a successful and sustainable forestry economy.
