OTTAWA, March 4 - Canada plans to simplify and speed up a complex regulatory process for energy projects that require approvals from so many different authorities that major investments can take years to get a green light. The federal budget, unveiled on Thursday, promised to "further improve the regulatory review process for large energy projects" to ensure procedures were timely and predictable. From now on responsibility for carrying out environmental assessments will move from the Canadian Environmental Assessment
Agency (CEEA) to the National Energy Board and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, which the government says have more expertise than the CEEA. The budget did not touch upon the current requirement for projects to be approved both by federal and provincial authorities, which critics say is hopelessly unwieldy. It also promised C$100 million ($97 million) over the next four years to support the development of advanced clean energy technologies in the hard-hit forestry sector and make the entire sector more sustainable. The government, accused by critics of lagging on green energy initiatives, said it would encourage investment in technologies that cut pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
($1 = $1.03 Canadian)
Agency (CEEA) to the National Energy Board and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, which the government says have more expertise than the CEEA. The budget did not touch upon the current requirement for projects to be approved both by federal and provincial authorities, which critics say is hopelessly unwieldy. It also promised C$100 million ($97 million) over the next four years to support the development of advanced clean energy technologies in the hard-hit forestry sector and make the entire sector more sustainable. The government, accused by critics of lagging on green energy initiatives, said it would encourage investment in technologies that cut pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
($1 = $1.03 Canadian)
