Assembly Vote
17th Assembly, 3rd SessionMay 31, 2012
Motion Sponsor
Topic
Motion Text
WHEREAS diversification of energy sources away from increasingly costly and unpredictably priced fossil fuels is essential to controlling our citizens’ costs of living and business costs, fostering strong local economies and protecting the environment;
AND WHEREAS ministerial mandates direct that a new NWT Energy Plan be developed with the objectives of stabilizing energy prices in communities and reducing the cost and impacts of energy use upon the environment, and direct Ministers to take action to promote community-based alternative energy systems;
AND WHEREAS electrical energy prices alone are already scheduled to increase by more than 25 percent over the next three years, with potentially greater increases when fossil fuel prices rise further;
AND WHEREAS the experience of renewable energy initiatives to replace the use of fossil fuels in the past four years has yielded a proven record of reducing costs, creating jobs, supporting local economies and developing a new northern economic sector, with significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions;
AND WHEREAS the 16
th Legislative Assembly
established a fund of $60 million or $15 million per year to support the development and introduction of alternative forms of energy;
AND WHEREAS government funding for energy planning is being reduced from $6.5 million annually to $1.6 million for 2012-2013;
AND WHEREAS government funding for energy management is being reduced from $7.2 million annually to $3.5 million annually for 2012-2013;
AND WHEREAS government revenues have increased by 9.5 percent or approximately $132 million in this fiscal year;
AND WHEREAS demand from households, businesses and communities for alternative energy support programs is high, while programs are provided limited funds and are frequently oversubscribed;
AND WHEREAS this government’s plan to further subsidize the fossil fuel-dependent operations of the NWT Power Corporation, by spending a further $33.8 million in new taxpayer funds to reduce rate impacts upon consumers demonstrates the ability to make choices and find substantial new funds when needed;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that the Government of the Northwest Territories reinstate funding at least equivalent to the budgets devoted by the 16
th Assembly for programming in support of
renewable energy generation and more efficient use of energy;
AND FURTHER, that comprehensive planning and implementation of new hydro generation and grid connections be reinstated towards the achievement of both reduced and stabilized power costs, and expansion of hydro zones to communities currently relying on diesel generation of electricity;
AND FURTHERMORE, that the government provide a response to this motion within 120 days.
Thank you.