Date
March
14
2007
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Debates of March 14, 2007 (day 2)
Topics
Statements
Minister’s Statement 4-15(6): Energy Plan
Brendan Bell
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, later today, I will be tabling the Northwest Territories energy plan.
---Applause
This plan provides a comprehensive roadmap to guide and supply GNWT decisions regarding the development, generation, and use of energy in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, we have a tremendous supply of energy resources in our territory, yet the cost of energy in our communities is very high and contributes significantly to our elevated cost of living.
Meanwhile, the environmental impacts of energy use, and in particular climate change, are already being evidenced across the North.
For this reason, and to emphasize the importance of addressing the impacts of climate change and establishing targets for greenhouse gas emissions, my colleague Minister McLeod will also be tabling today the revised NWT Greenhouse Gas Strategy.
Mr. Speaker, our residents are demanding action in many areas, including: energy efficiency and conservation; the development of renewable energy; the application of emerging technologies; and, the reduction of energy use by the GNWT.
This plan focuses on actions and investments. It proposes both new initiatives and the enhancement of existing initiatives, representing a total investment of approximately $6 million. It includes a number of specific projects such as the Taltson hydroelectric expansion, the conversion of three public buildings in Fort Smith to interruptible hydroelectric power, the expansion of wind monitoring and a geothermal pilot project for Aurora College.
It also provides for a significant commitment of funds to advance and support the goals and targets that have been identified in the revised NWT Greenhouse Gas Strategy.
Mr. Speaker, much of this investment will be leveraged with federal programs and funding. For example, the
recently announced $5 million in federal funding from the EcoEnergy Trust initiative will be directed towards the priorities identified in this energy plan.
Together, we are working to ensure a lasting legacy of clean, affordable energy for future generations in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
----Applause