Premier Completes Successful Meetings in U.S.

Premier Darrell Dexter, today July 13, wrapped up a successful meeting in Boston and Lenox, Massachusetts to promote Nova Scotia's renewable electricity sector and other key growth sectors.

The premier attended the National Governors Association Annual meeting and the annual conference of New England Governors-Eastern Canadian Premiers.

Premier Dexter along with Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts were co-chairs of the 34th annual conference held in Lenox. Premier Dexter announced that next year he will host the 35th annual conference in Nova Scotia from July 10-12.

"I look forward to being able to show my colleagues the innovative and exciting projects that are taking place in the province in renewable electricity generation, energy efficiency, climate change mitigation and green economic development," said Premier Dexter. "I plan on engaging my colleagues over the next twelve months about goals and objectives we can accomplish that will improve the economy and environment in both our regions."

"The relationship between New England and Eastern Canada goes back hundreds of years and is instrumental to the economic success that both our areas enjoy today," said Gov. Patrick. "I look forward to visiting Nova Scotia next year to build on the spirit of cooperation that we have enjoyed this week in Lenox, Massachusetts and further strengthening our partnership in the future."

Premier Dexter said he was pleased that his colleagues endorsed a resolution he put forward to have the conference's Northeast International Committee on Energy hold its annual meeting in Nova Scotia this fall. The committee will further explore opportunities for partnerships in renewable electricity generation that can create jobs and improve the economy.

Another significant resolution adopted was to continue promoting energy efficiency programs, building energy codes, appliance standards and other energy efficiency policies that will reduce overall energy consumption in all areas.

"This resolution fits in very nicely with what Efficiency Nova Scotia is trying to accomplish," said Premier Dexter. "Reducing energy consumption is critical to achieving the province's climate change goals and will ultimately make life more affordable for all Nova Scotians."

Other highlights of the Premier's trip included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Maine on tidal energy that will have economic and environmental benefits for both regions.

Premier Dexter is also pleased to have been able to secure a meeting with Cathy Zoi, United States Department of Energy's Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to discuss opportunities in energy efficiency.

"My goal on this trip was to continue sharing with my colleagues in Eastern Canada and New England details about Nova Scotia's aggressive and strategic plan to generate 40 per cent renewable electricity by 2020 which will strengthen and grow the economy to create jobs from one end of the province to the other," said Premier Dexter.

"I am pleased that once again Nova Scotia was at the forefront of discussions about providing clean, renewable power to our United States neighbors and a Memorandum of Understanding signed with Maine will help facilitate that process when the time comes."