Cost and Source Insecurity

Costs of Fossil Fuels

The cost of using fossil fuels to make energy includes the market price of each fuel. But the full cost associated with making energy from fossil fuels is not included in our electricity or fuel-oil bills. We pay these other costs nonetheless and they should be incorporated into our consideration of the cost of oil.

These other costs include:
• cost of air pollution to health
• cost of air pollution to the environment
• cost of toxic wastes and run-off
• costs associated with extraction and transportation
• costs associated with accidents and spills

The cost of air pollution to our health
When fossil fuels are used as a fuel source, noxious gases are emitted. The main pollutants coming from Nova Scotia’s fuel mix of coal, oil, and natural gas are nitrous oxide (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate matter (PM), methane, mercury, sulphur and other trace elements. These gases are directly tied to many health issues from allergies to pre-mature death. Carbon dioxide and methane contribute directly to global warming. We will address the global warming costs in the following section on carbon costs and liability.

The effects of air pollution have a direct impact on health including:
• respiratory illnesses
• cardiovascular disease
• allergies
• neurological effects

The Cost of Air Pollution to the Environment
Acid rain is caused by the sulphur dioxide (SO2) nitrous oxide (NOx) that are emitted by the burning of fossil fuels. These pollutants are emitted as particles and vapours that can be transported over hundreds of kilometres from the site of production. These particles and vapours combine with water in the atmosphere to form acids that fall as rain.

Environment Canada has identified the provinces that form the Precambrian shield (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia) as the hardest hit. The water and soil systems in our
region cannot fight the damaging consequences of acid rain. If the water and soil in Nova Scotia was more alkaline we would be buffered against the damage of this acid.

As a result of our dependence our fossil fuel intense electrical general combined with our particularly, vulnerable ecosystem, the damage to the environment caused by SO2 and NOx in Nova Scotia is extensive. Although the amount of acid rain peaked in the 1980’s, acid deposition continues to exceed “critical load” (level at which environmental damage takes place). Acid rain causes the acidification of lakes and streams and contributes to the damage of trees. Damage to these important habitats causes serious harm to biodiversity, to inland fisheries, and forestry. Acid rain also accelerates the decay of buildings and building materials.