Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of ENR. I would like to talk about the situation in Norman Wells. I was reading through the Biomass Energy Strategy document. It is very impressive. I want to ask the Minister in regards to the programs that are offered in the alternative use of energy and fuel in the Northwest Territories, can the Minister state to the House in regards to the programs that are now offered? Is it somewhere in this document that they can help the residents and the businesspeople in Norman Wells to look at conversion that is needed in this year before October 31, 2014?
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of programs that are application-based. The ones delivered by ENR are the Alternative Energy Technologies Program, which is about $300,000 a year. Unfortunately, that program already has a waiting list. It has been a subscribed Energy Conservation Program, which supports reduced usage of electro heat energies and water. Maximum grant contribution is $50,000 available. We are operating with a budget of about $200,000 this year. The Biomass Energy Program has a broad range of support programs to help people to convert to biomass. It is a $400,000 fund. We, as well, provide funding to Arctic Energy Alliance through their Energy Efficiency Incentive Program that has a range of programs that are available anywhere from $50 to $4,500 depending on the issue. We have a Commercial Energy Conservation and Efficiency Program, which provides rebates to businesses to support commercial operations, that has a budget of $200,000. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Minister. It is quite an impressive list, the resource dollars that are allocated to these programs. The Minister did indicate that there were programs that were over-subscribed or some are on a waiting list and the numbers that are given don’t seem to be enough for what I’m going to ask in terms of helping out the residents and businesses of Norman Wells.
Can the Minister then make a request to the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee to top up the funding to help the people in Norman Wells? As I stated, the conversion is quite high in Norman Wells and we are looking for some support from this government to help them out with their energy solutions.
This issue is regularly on the agenda for the Ministerial Energy Climate Change Coordinating Committee and we’ll monitor those issues and those requirements. We recognize the unique nature of the challenges faced by the community of Norman Wells and the people who are converting. We will also continue to invest millions of dollars to make sure that our infrastructure, as well, is converted, but I will commit to the Member that that issue will be reviewed at MECC as we gather for our next meeting. Thank you.
I certainly appreciate the Minister’s willingness to have more discussions with your colleagues on this issue. Is there any type of schedule or programming for the Department of ENR, through Arctic Energy Alliance, to look at workshops or meetings in Norman Wells to look at the different types of programs that could be available to help with the residents? Like I said, there are 27 people out of 159 that are making this conversion and this would greatly help the town on the natural gas situation.
Yes, Mr. Speaker. In fact, there is a position in Norman Wells that is dedicated to assist people to navigate those very specific program areas the Member mentioned. I will make sure to have a conversation with the deputy minister and the superintendent in Norman Wells. They are already engaged, but we will make sure they are aware of the concern expressed by the Member in this House.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger, Final, short supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess I’m really happy with what the Minister is saying, because of the situation for families in Norman Wells and the businesses. Is there any type of indication from this government or through the Ministers as to the number of people who are willing to look at biomass energy or wood pellet or situations that will help them with their conversion? Is there any type of updated report that says, yes, we can do 10 families now or we have to wait until later on? Is there a status report? Thank you.
As it pertains to the conversion to biomass, people have made their own determination in many cases, businesses have made their own determination. There is a migration to that alternate heating source. There is, we understand development of a private industry there in terms of supplying pellets. In terms of access to these particular assistance programs for alternative energy changes, those are there. I will follow up with the staff, with the deputy, to make sure the folks in the region are aware of the Member’s concerns. All of that is happening as we speak and we will work with the individuals through the various programs we have available. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
