Province to Revise Energy Strategy

PETROLEUM DIRECTORATE/NATURAL RESOURCES--Province to Revise Energy Strategy

PETROLEUM DIRECTORATE/NATURAL RESOURCES

The provincial government is taking the lead in setting the agenda for energy in Nova Scotia. Natural Resources Minister Ernest Fage and Gordon Balser, Minister responsible for the Petroleum Directorate, announced today that cabinet has approved plans to update the province's energy strategy, meeting a government commitment. A discussion paper will be issued later this winter and public consultations will be held this spring.

"The last time the province looked at energy in a broad sense was in 1991," said Mr. Fage. "At that time the offshore was a dream, Nova Scotia Power was a Crown corporation and worries about global warming were only beginning to emerge. A decade later offshore gas developments are reality; our electrical utility is a privately owned energy company spreading its wings outside the province; and global warming is being tackled through international efforts. It is time we took a fresh look at our energy strategy."

"There are many opportunities ahead," said Mr. Balser. "Offshore developments can create the basis for new industries and business opportunities. The province also gains new revenues. We need to develop a strategy that takes change in the energy sector into account and sets the proper balance between economic, social and environmental needs."

The discussion paper will provide some background information to help the general public and interested groups to contribute to the development of the new strategy. Public input will be sought in a number of ways, including written submissions and public workshops later this spring.