Atlantic Energy Ministers Report Significant Progress
Regional co-operation on electricity markets and generation was the focus of much of the discussion today, June 7, as energy ministers from Atlantic Canada gathered in Prince Edward Island.
The meeting was hosted by Jamie Ballem, Minister of Environment and Energy, Prince Edward Island. Other participants were Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, Newfoundland and Labrador; Bruce Fitch, Minister of Energy, New Brunswick; and Cecil Clarke, Minister of Energy, Nova Scotia.
"There are a number of key electricity related issues and opportunities that are currently confronting all jurisdictions in Atlantic Canada," said Mr. Clarke. "We are taking a lead role in working with our provincial and federal counterparts to ensure Nova Scotia has a reliable, competitively priced and environmentally acceptable supply of electricity."
Monday's meeting marked the third time energy ministers have met this year. At a February meeting in Sydney Mines, N.S., ministers laid the groundwork for a regional working group of electric utility representatives and officials from the four provinces. Ministers met with five federal cabinet ministers in Ottawa in March to outline the economic development potential of the energy sector in Atlantic Canada.
"We had an opportunity today to continue progress that has been made over the past several months," said Mr. Ballem. "We have made significant headway in a short period of time, particularly in relation to the electricity sector. Discussions at this meeting will allow us to continue to move forward together in a manner that will allow all provinces to address their challenges and opportunities and increase the security and sustainability of the region's energy supply."
Ministers met privately with the chief executive officers of the region's major electrical utilities Sunday evening.
During Monday's session, the energy ministers endorsed terms of reference for the Atlantic Electricity Working Group. The working group has identified potential areas for immediate collaboration, including resource adequacy in Atlantic Canada, climate change and economic development impacts of the electricity industry. The ministers directed the working group to prioritize the regional areas of co-operation for immediate action.
Atlantic energy ministers also directed their deputies Monday to develop terms of reference for an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of electrical capacity in the Atlantic region with a view to taking a regional approach to address future needs. The document will include analysis of the maximum potential for integrating renewable energy, including wind energy, into the regional electricity system. The terms of reference will be presented to ministers when they meet in Newfoundland and Labrador in September.
Appropriate federal ministers will be invited to meet with the Atlantic ministers in Newfoundland and Labrador. The ministers emphasized the need to continue to engage the federal government in discussions.
"The energy sector holds great potential as an economic development engine in Atlantic Canada, however, federal participation and support is needed to fully realize that potential," said Mr. Ballem.
Other topics on the agenda at Monday's meeting included climate change and the international power line linking the Maritime provinces with the New England system. Ministers recognized the importance of the second tie-in between the region and the Northeast United States and directed staff and utilities to examine feasible ways to bring it about.
On the topic of climate change, ministers agreed to continue to press the government of Canada to co-operate more fully with the provinces in finalizing the targets and rules for large final emitters and to address the burden-sharing issues related to those targets and rules for Atlantic Canada's electricity supply and industry. Atlantic ministers are taking a lead in addressing climate change and see a strong role for renewable energy and demand-side management which promotes energy efficiency.
The Atlantic Energy Ministers' Forum was formed by the Council of Atlantic Premiers. It advocates regional co-operation on electricity, oil and gas, renewables and other energy initiatives. Energy ministers will report back to the Council of Atlantic Premiers on their progress when the council meets in Nova Scotia later this month.