News Release

FREDERICTON (CNB) – The provincial government received today the final report from the New Brunswick Energy Commission containing more than 50 recommendations focused upon developing a 10-year energy plan.

Co-chairs Jeannot Volpé and William Thompson prepared the final document after receiving input from those who attended public or stakeholder meetings; made presentations; provided written and online input; or participated in dialogue sessions over the past six months. This first phase was followed by a feedback document released in April that provided an opportunity for more input during the past month. During this part of the process the commission received another 200 responses from the public and stakeholders.

"We will now move forward with many of the recommendations in the report and will commence the necessary analysis of others that will require a longer timeframe to review,” said Energy Minister Craig Leonard. “Overall, I am very pleased that we will have a New Brunswick energy plan that incorporates the knowledge and opinions of residents from all areas of the province.

“Now that we have the commission's report, our government will examine the document fully and take the necessary time to review the numerous recommendations. Some are more complex than others and will take additional time to examine to understand clearly all of the costs and ramifications."

The document was developed by the commission from information gathered through more than 1,400 completed surveys submitted online, reviewing more than 200 public dialogue attendee surveys, meeting with more than 60 stakeholder groups and receiving nearly 75 public presentations.

"Today we are providing a final report that represents what we heard from New Brunswickers," said Volpé. "We thank all those who attended one of our public sessions, submitted briefs, made presentations or completed online surveys. We also thank those who provided more input on our feedback document released last month as that helped shape our final report."

The final report makes recommendations in the areas of electricity, natural gas, petroleum products, energy efficiency, renewable energy, regulatory matters, development and research, and for improving education and raising awareness.

"The commission did considerable research and weighed several competing interests in developing more than 50 recommendations to structure an energy plan for our province over the next 10 years," said Thompson. "We believe New Brunswickers take great pride in knowing that their ideas and concerns are being addressed in setting out this long-term energy plan. "

Five key objectives were identified during the public engagement process:

●    developing a plan for low and stable priced energy;
●    ensuring the security of energy supplies;
●    setting high standards of reliability in the generation and delivery of electricity;
●    producing, distributing and transmitting energy in an environmentally responsible manner; and
●    strengthening and expanding the role of the independent energy and utility regulator.

The provincial government created the New Brunswick Energy Commission with a mandate to conduct a broad public consultation and report to government on a long-term energy plan. The commission has now completed its work. The final report and more information on its mandate are available online.

LINK:

●    New Brunswick Energy Commission: www.gnb.ca/energycommission