As a Nova Scotian who both understands climate science and relies on natural gas for home heating, I hold a nuanced perspective on our energy future. Let me be unequivocal: I recognize natural gas — or methane — as a potent greenhouse gas with 86 times more warming potential than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. This understanding fundamentally shapes my position.

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However, I also acknowledge that when used to displace coal and oil — which still account for significant portions of Nova Scotia’s electricity generation and heating — natural gas serves as a cleaner transitional fossil fuel. This pragmatic reality must be balanced against our climate responsibilities as we navigate toward Premier Tim Houston’s renewable energy vision, particularly our promising offshore wind potential.

My previous opposition to development of Nova Scotia’s onshore natural gas reserves (which along with coal bed methane reserves are substantial) was principally about the technology used to extract the gas — the environmentally reckless method of hydraulic fracking and its demonstrated risks including water contamination, wastewater management challenges, and induced seismicity.

This distinction is crucial: I cannot support natural gas development as a transition fuel unless a genuinely environmentally benign extraction method replaces high-risk hydraulic fracturing.

Premier Tim Houston’s focus on renewable energy development, particularly our massive offshore wind potential, must remain our primary objective. However, we must acknowledge the significant operational and economic challenges facing offshore wind development. The technical complexities of installing and maintaining turbines in harsh marine........

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