Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya on May 15, 2007, regarding Norman Wells natural gas supply.
Representatives of the Government of the Northwest Territories have held several meetings with community leaders in Norman Wells to deal with this issue.
On April 27, 2007, His Worship Mayor Peter Guther of the Town of Norman Wells wrote to the Honourable Michael McLeod, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, to request a meeting to discuss this issue.
On May 16, 2007, the Premier, Minister, deputy minister and assistant deputy minister of MACA met with the mayor and deputy mayor of the Town of Norman Wells. At that meeting, the mayor outlined the current situation, the steps taken by the town to address the issue, and the areas where the town may seek the support from the GNWT. The honourable Premier Handley and Minister McLeod noted that the GNWT would like to work in collaboration with the Town of Norman Wells in finding the best way forward.
On May 18, 2007, the Premier convened a meeting of Ministers and deputy ministers to discuss how best to coordinate GNWT activities on this issue. More specifically, Ministers agreed that MACA would take the lead as liaison with the Town of Norman Wells, Public Works and Services would take the lead on technical analysis, and that Industry, Tourism and Investment would take the lead on any discussions that may be required with Imperial Oil.
On May 23, 2007, the Honourable David Krutko, Minister of Public Works and Services, and Mr. Yakeleya, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Sahtu, both met with representatives of Imperial Oil in Calgary, at which time the GNWT's concerns about this issue were raised.
On May 28, 2007, the deputy ministers of MACA and PWS travelled to Norman Wells for a follow-up discussion with the deputy mayor, members of town council and town staff. As a result of that meeting, a joint working group has been established to identify the best solution to an alternative energy source for the town.
The GNWT has agreed with the Town of Norman Wells that further discussions between government officials and Imperial Oil will take place in the event that the town requests government support in advocating for specific issues or positions with Imperial Oil.
It would be premature to speculate whether residents of Norman Wells will incur costs for conversion of household appliances until the optimum solution for future energy supply has been identified and further technical analysis
has been done. The GNWT continues to work with the town on these details and the town has flagged this as one issue that may require attention.
With regard to the potential feasibility of wind and solar power conversions, the Arctic Energy Alliance has been working with the town on development of a longer-term community energy plan, and the issue of alternative energy sources is likely to be considered as part of that process. However, alternative energy sources are not expected to provide a short-term solution for residents and may not prove feasible in the longer term.
The Deputy Ministers' Energy Coordinating Committee has been tasked with reviewing the 1944 Norman Wells Proven Area Agreement and identifying any possible implications for this issue. Further information will be forwarded to the Member when this analysis is complete.