Energy Department Launched

Energy Minister Gordon Balser officially launched the new Department of Energy today, Sept. 24, with an update on the province's energy strategy and steps already taken to implement it. Mr. Balser told a business audience in Halifax that the energy strategy remains the blueprint for the new department.

"The strategy laid the foundation for new rules on gas distribution and promotion of Nova Scotia's interests before regulators such as the National Energy Board," said Mr. Balser. "The new Department of Energy is also taking shape as the government increases its focus on energy matters."

The energy strategy, adopted by the government last December, is one of several steps the government has taken to bring the new department to fruition, including the appointment of Mr. Balser as minister in June and of Dan McFadyen as deputy minister, effective in August.

The new department continues to implement the strategy, with work on new rules to introduce limited competition in the electricity sector well under way. Mr. Balser said the changes required will be included in a new Energy Act planned for next year.

"These changes will allow more renewable energy to be developed in Nova Scotia," he said. More renewable energy and stepped-up efforts to encourage energy conservation are part of the government's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.

"Climate change is a serious issue," said the minister. "However, we have serious concerns about how Ottawa is planning to implement a national plan to address this issue."

He reiterated his call for Ottawa to release details of the plan well before energy and environment ministers meet in Halifax on Oct. 21.

The minister will be speaking to a number of groups around the province in the coming weeks. He will also give a detailed accounting of departmental plans and progress on the oil and gas section of the strategy at the Canadian Offshore Resources Exhibition (CORE) Show in Halifax in October.