Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Norman Yakeleya on November 2, 2009, regarding renewable energy and the cost of living in the Sahtu region.

1. Can the Minister provide to me in detail what

renewable energy initiatives are planned for the Sahtu region in the next two years?

Communities in the Sahtu region are at this time completing their community energy plans. The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is promoting renewable energy initiatives that support those community plans. Initiatives within the Sahtu region include wiser use of firewood and other sources of biomass energy, wind power, solar heating, and solar power as well as hydroelectricity.

Over the next two years there is considerable potential for Sahtu communities to increase their use of renewable energy. The GNWT will continue to provide support for initiatives that have been identified by communities as something that they would want to pursue.

2. Will the Minister provide to me a

comprehensive alternate energy plan that will reduce the cost of living in the Sahtu in the next two years?

Energy planning in the Sahtu is supported through the community energy planning initiatives underway in all Sahtu communities.

A comprehensive regional alternative energy plan will need to build upon these community plans and will require working closely with all the affected communities to ensure that their interests and values are respected and considered.

ENR has programs that can support alternative energy projects identified by communities. While these projects can provide long-term benefits, often the best opportunities for residents, businesses and community organizations to reduce their energy costs are through energy efficiency. ENR also has programs to support energy efficiency initiatives.

3. Will the Minister of ITI outline how the

department will work with the Arctic Energy Alliance to reduce the cost of living in the Sahtu; for example, training residents of the Sahtu to be certified energy advisors?

The Arctic Energy Alliance works very hard to ensure that their programs are available in all communities of the NWT, including Sahtu communities. Information about when they are travelling to communities is regularly posted on their website and in community newspapers.

The next scheduled training course for certified energy advisors will be offered by the alliance from November 23 to 27. If there are enough Sahtu residents interested in taking this training, we could work with the alliance to schedule a training opportunity in one of the Sahtu communities.

4. Can the Minister provide to me a final report on

the upcoming Hydro Symposium report and an action plan to their recommendation?

Work is currently underway in organizing the Sahtu Hydro Symposium, which is tentatively scheduled to be held sometime in January 2010 in Deline. As I understand, you will be invited to this symposium and you will be able to provide valuable input into the future vision of hydro in the Sahtu.

At this time a Sahtu hydro assessment will be conducted in the region that will be guided by community input. Provision will be made to include examination of all viable hydro energy options for communities and potential industrial customers in the region. Once a report has been compiled and completed, I would be pleased to provide you with a copy.