Department Seeking Nominees for Wholesale Market Advisory Committee

Independent power producers, municipal electric utilities and transmission customers in the wholesale electricity market are invited to nominate people to represent them on the Wholesale Market Advisory Committee.

The committee will provide advice to the Nova Scotia Power System Operator on wholesale electricity market.

"The advisory committee will provide an important perspective and informed advice to the system operator to ensure competitive opportunity, efficiency and a safe, reliable electricity system," said Energy Minister Charlie Parker. "We want to attract qualified nominees to represent each of these categories and ensure they have the support of their sector."

The Department of Energy must submit three nominees to sit on the six-member committee, as well as three alternates. Nova Scotia Power Inc. will select a representative from the system operator, who will chair the committee, one from the NSPI power and production division, and one from customer service. The Department of Energy and the Utilities and Review Board may also appoint an observer.

In 2007, a competitive wholesale electricity market opened in Nova Scotia to allow six municipal electric utilities to buy electricity directly from independent power producers, and to allow electricity exports from and through Nova Scotia. The terms of reference for an advisory committee was developed, but the market did not warrant a committee.

Nominees must meet the qualifications outlined in Section 2C.4 of the terms of reference available at http://gov.ns.ca/energy/electricity/regulations.asp .

Deadline for the applications is May 31. Nominations should include a resume, three letters of sector support and a cover letter outlining what the nominee would contribute to the advisory committee.

Nominations should be sent to:
Department of Energy Wholesale Market Advisory Committee Nominees Att: Richard Penny, Acting Manager, Energy Markets P.O. Box 2664 Halifax, N.S. B3J 3P7