FREDERICTON (GNB) – David Besner has been appointed chair of the New Brunswick Energy Institute for a three-year term, effective immediately.
Besner, a professional chemical engineer and former assistant deputy minister with the provincial government, had been acting as interim chair of the institute since last October.
"I am pleased that Mr. Besner has agreed to take on this assignment," said Energy and Mines Minister Craig Leonard. "The energy institute is a reliable source of information on developing a safe, sustainable energy economy in New Brunswick. With an ambitious research agenda in the months ahead, I know that it will benefit from his experience and expertise."
Prior to his appointment as interim chair of the institute, Besner was a member of its scientific advisory council. He holds a bachelor of science in chemical engineering from the University of New Brunswick and a PhD in environmental health engineering from the University of Texas. He served as an assistant professor of civil engineering at Youngstown State University and as an environment project engineer with Imperial Oil before serving as assistant deputy minister of environment and local government. He played a prominent role in establishing many of the provincial government's environmental regulations, particularly those relating to water and air emissions.
The New Brunswick Energy Institute is an independent body created to examine the science surrounding emerging energy possibilities. Made up of experts in different areas, its mandate is to serve as an advisory body to the provincial government and the people of New Brunswick. It will review and assess the environmental, social, economic and health issues relating to energy extraction, development or production in New Brunswick. An important role of the institute is to communicate its findings to the public, thereby ensuring factual and unbiased information is available.
"I am honoured to accept the role of energy institute chair," said Besner. "The institute has a vital role to play in the provincial energy landscape and I am pleased to be leading a team of world-class experts and scientists who are dedicated to researching topics that could have a significant impact."
The institute recently announced two major research investments. The first is to examine environmental water flows in partnership with the Canadian Rivers Institute and the second aims to gather the groundwater baseline data needed to assess domestic well water quality in areas where natural gas development is possible.
"Over the last few months, we have been getting a glimpse of the important work that the energy institute endeavors to accomplish," said Leonard. "Mr. Besner is the right candidate to continue to move the institute forward and to help accomplish its important research and education mission. I look forward to seeing the continued growth of the energy institute over the term of his mandate."
LINK:
● New Brunswick Energy Institute