Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise the Members of the House that the Government of the Northwest Territories, in conjunction with the NWT Power Corporation, the Public Utilities Board, Natural Resources Canada and the Canadian Wind Energy Association, co-sponsored and participated in a renewable energy technology workshop in Yellowknife on April 10th and 11th.
The objective of the workshop was to identify opportunities for the increased use of renewable energy technologies in the production of electricity in the NWT, and to discuss policies and actions required to bring about an increase in the use of these renewable technologies.
I am pleased to advise that the workshop was very successful and was attended by approximately 40 persons representing key northern stakeholders, the renewable energy industry and government.
The two most important recommendations which came out of the workshop were: First, that a renewable energy policy be developed by this government. This policy should be developed in conjunction with a more comprehensive updated energy policy which would address energy efficiency, conservation and subsidy programs.
Second, that a renewable energy working committee be established to ensure continued communication and cooperation between key stakeholders. There was also
consensus that the communities need to be given a greater voice in energy planning decisions.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform Members of the Assembly that the Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources has begun preparing a draft renewable energy policy and will be establishing a renewable energy working committee to interact with key stakeholders.
Once in draft form, we will be distributing the renewable energy policy to stakeholders for consultation.
The creation of a suitable policy environment for renewables is an important piece in the puzzle if we are to begin improving the planning and delivery of energy services to our communities. A comprehensive energy policy, including the renewable energy, will be developed in consultation with the communities and northern stakeholders. Thank you.