Williams supports carbon emissions trading program

Newfoundland and Labrador is onside with a plan put forward by Quebec and Ontario for a carbon emissions trading market, Premier Danny Williams indicated last week. At the Council of the Federation summit in Quebec City, Williams said he supports Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty's agreement with Quebec Premier Jean Charest for a regional carbon-trading market to start as early as Jan. 1, 2010. The "cap-and-trade" system would allow companies with higher greenhouse gas emissions to buy credits from companies with lower emissions. The system is part of the premiers' overall pledge for a 20 per cent increase in energy efficiency in their provinces by 2020. "We're in a unique position in Newfoundland and Labrador because we have a nice mix of renewable and non-renewable energy and of course, we have the wind, which hasn't been... [read full story]