Gardner Pinfold maintains a spreadsheet model designed to assess the financial viability of biofuels production options in Atlantic Canada. This study runs the model to assess proposed sugar beet biogas alone and an integrated sugar beet/ethanol production facility in New Brunswick. The study updates the model input data to reflect current prices, costs, interest rates, salaries etc; determines sugar beet production and freight costs in order to examine acreage requirements and viable crop distances from the facility; obtains plant-specific capital cost, fuel conversion rates, revenues per litre (fuel and by-products), financing structure; and, produces a final report with all statistical and financial performance outputs from the model.

This study provides government and industry with a clear understanding of the value proposition for tidal energy in Canada, including the opportunities and challenges of creating a supply chain for a future tidal energy industry. The report includes a comprehensive assessment of the value proposition for tidal energy that provides an estimate of the potential value, broader benefits and potential economic impacts of tidal power development to Nova Scotia, the Atlantic Region and Canada. The Executive Summary, Full Report and Annexes are now available for download at: www.oera.ca/

This assignment included report preparation, responding to interrogatories and testimony during a public hearing into the adequacy of margins in the Nova Scotia petroleum products market.In the matter of the Petroleum Product Pricing Act andIn the matter of an application by Tusket Ultra Mart Ltd. requesting an increase to retail margins under s. 24(1) of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulations.

This study provides an assessment that is needed to help fill a gap in knowledge amongst decision makers and the public and to inform national and local aquaculture development processes. This will also serve as a baseline for tracking the development of Aboriginal aquaculture in Canada. The methodology includes document review and interviews (65 on-line) and collection of Aboriginal and Canadian aquaculture information.

This study undertakes an economic assessment of the potential implications of establishing a NMCA reserve in the Southern Strait of Georgia. The economic assessment is a critical component of completing the feasibility study. The focus of work evaluates the economic implications of specific boundary and management options. This assessment assists in determining the relative costs and benefits associated with the proposed marine conservation area, as well as providing specific analyses regarding the different boundary and management scenarios that are currently being considered.

This project considers options to finance land acquisition for community land priorities through the establishment of a Community Lands Trust. Methodology involves undertaking a literature review, conducting an analysis and presenting results in the White Paper to form the basis of a consultation process. Eight facilitated sessions across the province were conducted. A White Paper that sets out the findings of evaluative research is provided, a community consultation process is designed and implemented, and a comprehensive proposal outlining options and recommendations is prepared for implementing the Community Lands Trust.