Gordon Balser to Address Energy Council

Nova Scotia has a bright future as an energy producer and a contribution to make in the formulation of North American energy policy. That's the message Energy Minister Gordon Balser will deliver to the Energy Council's annual meeting on Saturday, Sept. 21, in Arkansas.

"Our interest is in creating closer ties between Nova Scotia and other energy-producing states and provinces," said Mr. Balser. "Our energy future is bright and we think the opportunity to share information and benefit from the experience of other producers is an important one."

The Energy Council is composed of legislators from 10 key energy- producing states, including Alaska, New Mexico and Texas, and international members, such as Venezuela.

Canadian members of the council include the province of Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador, which recently joined the organization. Newfoundland and Labrador's mines and energy minister, Lloyd Matthews, also made a presentation to the council on energy developments in his province.

Two of the policies under discussion at the 2002 annual meeting are a report on the development of a national energy strategy for the United States, as well a panel on air quality.

The council is a forum for the development and discussion of energy policy. Its work is supported by the Council for Legislative Energy and Environmental Research, a group of industry representatives and academics who offer private and public sector perspectives on policy issues. It is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.