Nebulous response from NS Minister of Energy to questions about CO2 emissions from forest biomass

Back in April, Peter Ritchie wrote Hon. Michel Samson Minister for the NS Department of Energy, outlining  the evidence that forest biomass actually produces more CO2 than coal, and asking “At a time when Canada, along with 195 other countries, has committed to reducing its green house gas emissions, how can the Nova Scotia government actively support the generation of electricity from a fuel which is (at least) 50% more CO2-intensive than coal? At a time when carbon pricing is finally set to become a national priority, how can Nova Scotia justify the attendant costs, ultimately borne by ratepayers, which will come with this essential price on carbon?
 
Receiving no response, Peter wrote again on June 21 and finally received a response on July 25 prepared by Nova Scotia Depts. of Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy. The best they could come up with was “We recognize that the science around forest biomass carbon accounting is evolving”, while touting the amendment of Renewable Electricity Regulations so that the Port Hawkesbury biomass plant is no longer a "must-run" facility and stating that “harvest of primary forest products for all uses from Nova Scotia… remains within sustainable harvesting levels.”
 
 I guess we should all sleep well.  
 
Read correspondence...

Ritchie-Samson Correspondence