Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I do notice that former Premiers' photos are in the past energy reports, so my questions are for the Premier even though her photo is not in one yet. The Premier must be aware of the need to get a grip on the escalating cost of living in the territory. Has the Premier provided direction to Cabinet to come up with innovative ways for energy savings to curb the cost of living? Mahsi.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Honourable Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll begin this line of questioning. I am just totally unhappy that my picture is not in the energy strategy. I have to say that, Mr. Speaker. Do I have a grasp on the cost of living? Mr. Speaker, I've said it more than enough times. I was a single parent for many years. I exactly know how hard it is to live in the Northwest Territories, so I will just stop at those questions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Some of the largest energy users of fossil fuels are the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, and Marine Transportation Services. Can the Premier commit to directing the departments to submit energy plans to guide the long-term development of secure, affordable, and sustainable energy for transportation, heat, and electricity?
I do know that we have a long-term energy strategy. However, it is not done in my portfolio. It is the Minister of Infrastructure, so I'd like to defer the questions to the Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Honourable Premier. Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have under the 2030 Energy Strategy, the GNWT and its partners will invest $400 million over the life of this strategy. These are to ensure we have a reliable energy system as well as to address some of the cost of the energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are on track to meet the strategic objectives of the energy strategy. We rolled out the new GNWT greenhouse grant program for governments, buildings, and industry to be able to support alternative energy and efficiency. We've also doubled some of the Arctic Energy Alliance funding to be able to efficiently triple the amount of reliable rebates available to residents, businesses, as well as communities. We're also setting the stage for our larger energy projects such as hydro power. With that, Mr. Speaker, I think that just goes to show that, within our current strategy, we are meeting some of our standards. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Vision from 2020 was founded upon the goal of reducing imported fuels and greater utilization of local and renewable forms of energy. Can the Premier commit to developing a comprehensive biomass strategy that can be utilized by all departments, including NTPC?
I thought I heard Premier in there, but that's fine. We are always looking at ways to be able to reduce some of the costs, especially to the public, NTPC, housing, Housing Corporation. That's why we buy bulk, and we use MTS to be able to deliver some of our fuel services up and down the Mackenzie Valley Highway -- soon, we'll have a highway, it's just the Mackenzie Valley.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All my questions are all related to biomass strategy and not to liquid fuels. Electricity rates keep climbing every time the price of diesel goes up. I note the hydro dams and plants burn up a significant amount of diesel to operate. Can the Premier or Infrastructure Minister commit to having NTPC find innovative strategies to lowering their greenhouse gas emissions using biomass, and that, in turn, lowers the cost of electricity customers have to pay? Mahsi.
The Government of the Northwest Territories has delivered a number of biomass projects to be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also operating costs. The use of wood pellets, boilers, has proven to be a reliable technology for the NWT and the residents. As well as businesses, local and territorial governments have all benefited from some of these successes. The use the biomass heating, like the Member mentioned, is considered for all GNWT facilities, and are currently being constructed. These are some of the projects that we are doing now, and like I said, we talked about the 2030 Energy Strategy and also the action plan. This is stuff we're working on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
