Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I too would like to congratulate the Arctic Energy Alliance on 25 years in the Northwest Territories.
Madam Speaker, we all know renewable energy and alternative energy solutions are the future. Our climate is changing and resources are depleting. We know we need to find sustainable energy solutions to replace nonrenewable resources.
The Northwest Territories uses three main energy sources to generate electricity: water, diesel, and natural gas, along with some solar energy installations. An objective under the GNWT's 2030 Energy Strategy work is to reduce GHG emissions for electricity. Residents need to know what to expect between now and 2030 to reduce diesel consumption, and NTPC needs a comprehensive capital plan to reduce diesel consumption in the NWT.
There are successful examples of Indigenous companies installing renewable energy projects in partnership with NTPC. But building new energy infrastructure in the NWT does not come cheap. According to a recent report on energy transition, a renewable energy transition requires unprecedented investments in distribution systems and new renewable energy is supply. Given the 30 to $50 million annual price tag that NTPC pays to maintain our aging energy infrastructure and the added debt the GNWT would have to take on to build new energy infrastructure, it seems this is a clear path.
Partnership with a private sector, particularly Indigenous companies, to advance renewable energy installations across the NWT is a winwin. Renewable energy projects, developed in partnership with NTPC, ensure that renewable energy feeds into the grid and contributes to the GNWT's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Madam Speaker, when you look at the publiclyavailable information from NTPC and the GNWT, it is not clear whether there is a capital plan for developing renewable energy infrastructure in partnership with the private sector. But whether or not they have a plan, we are being charged for a lack of energy progression through carbon tax. Carbon pricing is about recognizing the cost of pollution and accounting for those costs in daily decisions, but here in the NWT it's largely the only decision.
Madam Speaker, it's a northern double jeopardy charged by NTPC for using their expensive aging infrastructure and then charged through carbon tax for using our energy monopoly. With rising costs of diesel and northern cost of living, NWT residents should have a clear outlook of how the territory will add renewable energy sources and what the opportunity is for local companies. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
