Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are myriad ways we can build our local economies, provide opportunities for jobs in our communities and reduce environmental impacts of energy generation. One effective way is to provide for net metering. This is the chance for residents to generate their own power from renewable energy and to be connected to the power grid so they can contribute power when they have excess and draw power when they need it.
This issue has been before the Public Utilities Board for several years, and the Power Corporation has been asked to provide the option for this service. I believe some connection standards are being set. Yet today, when a Weledeh constituent stands prepared to fund a residential solar system to be tied to the grid and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is prepared to support the project through existing incentives, our utilities are unprepared to respond. There is currently a policy void, a lack of net metering capability and no method of purchasing excess power.
Many northern residents like my constituent wish to be more self-sufficient and environmentally responsible through generation of renewable energy and contributing to the power grid. Last year 17 per cent of Yellowknife’s power requirements were met through diesel generation, an amount probably greater than any of our diesel powered communities. No wonder NTPC is back at the trough, as my old friend Johnny Dennison used to say, seeking to raise electricity rates. Diesel is expensive and environmentally costly as well. Depending on it leaves us vulnerable to the vagaries of global markets.
Mr. Speaker, there are literally millions of residential solar systems around the world, including Canada, where net metering is simply business as usual. In fact, ATCO, the parent company of one of our utility firms, Northland, provides net metering service in some of their regions of operation. This is not a new science. This is off the shelf technology that residents have been requesting for many years.
Building capacity to meet increasing power demands in communities is expensive, yet here is an opportunity where residents themselves are willing to cover the upfront capital costs for long term reductions in overall costs. It’s a win-win situation.
Mr. Speaker, several specifics have been identified here. Northerners have waited patiently on this issue without results. Given today’s economic and environmental circumstances, this is not acceptable. Rather than slogging through the typical experience where utilities set up hurdles to net metering, like expensive systems, let’s get everyone to the table, define a reason….
Mr. Bromley, the time for your Member’s statement has expired. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
