Nova Scotia Newest Member of the Energy Council

Nova Scotia was officially inducted today, Dec. 5, as the newest international affiliate and member of the Energy Council, joining the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Alberta.

Energy Minister Gordon Balser is attending his first executive meeting of the Energy Council in Wyoming today and will participate in the associated conference, Global Energy and Environmental Issues, being held until Dec. 8.

"At a time when energy production and the environment are global concerns, it is important to participate in policy making that has an international impact," said Mr. Balser. "The development of a continental energy policy is a process we need to fully participate in through groups such as the Energy Council."

The Energy Council is a legislative organization of 10 energy- producing states, ranging from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean. The member states produce more than 80 per cent of the United States' oil and gas, and include leading coal, uranium, and renewable energy-producing states.

The member states are Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming, as well as the country of Venezuela.

Newfoundland and Labrador's Mines and Energy Minister Lloyd Matthews welcomed Nova Scotia as the second Eastern Canadian province to join the Energy Council. Newfoundland and Labrador joined in December 2001.

"Our region is increasingly recognized for its potential as a major energy-producing area," said Mr. Matthews. "Together we can build on the growing momentum in the energy industry and establish our two provinces as leaders in powering the future."

The council's mandate, supported by academic and industry groups, is:

• To participate in the development of federal energy and environmental policy.
• To assist member states and international affiliates in developing sound legislative energy and environmental policies.
• To foster understanding of energy and its role in the global economy and environment.
• To initiate dialogues with energy and environmental policy- makers at all levels and to improve the understanding of issues facing the states, the international affiliates, and the world.