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First Formal Meeting for Cross Country Green Power Corridor - Environmental Communication Options/Huff Strategy

First Formal Meeting for Cross Country Green Power Corridor

Apr 19th, 2007 9:43 AM

Media Release Attention News/National/Political/Energy Reporters and Assignment Editors Multi-billion dollar green grid could enable vast new supplies of clean energy to come on line OTTAWA, April 19, 2007 - Provincial ministers, Aboriginal leaders, environmental organizations and electricity infrastructure and financing executives met in Ottawa today at the Government Conference Centre (located at the old national railway headquarters) to present initial framework principles for a cross-Canada Green Power Corridor (transmission grid). The following statement was issued: "We agree that the supply of Canada's clean energy future lies beyond our current grid structure, and are committed to realizing the potential of a Green Power Corridor that battles climate change by enabling vast new supplies of clean, secure energy to come on line, enhances economic opportunities for Aboriginal peoples and other local communities, and helps to protect ecological integrity by establishing valid conservation first principles." Quotes from Ministers The Hon. Dwight Duncan, Minister of Energy, Chair of Cabinet, Ontario "The green power corridor is the railway of the 21st century. Building an inter-provincial green power corridor is as important to Canada today as was the building of the railway in the 19th century by the founders of our country." The Hon. Jim Rondeau, Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mines, Manitoba "We are proud to work with our federal and provincial partners that share Manitoba's vision to be a leader in clean energy initiatives such as building our hydroelectric resources, establishing wind generated power sources and developing a framework for a national transmission grid." The Hon. Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources, Newfoundland and Labrador "The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador fully supports the concept of an east-west grid given the abundance of clean energy resources we have to offer the rest of the country. We are pleased to participate in this discussion and to bring our province's perspective to the table. I would hope that after this discussion, we can all stand together in calling for a national green power corridor." Based on stakeholder input from this meeting and broader consultations, Corporate Knights will draft a report to be released in two months time. The report will provide the basis for a follow-up meeting on November 29th, 2007. To download a transcript of the press conference, please go to: www.corporateknights.ca/ after 16:00 EST. Cross-Country Green Power Corridor MW Potential: Canada's viable green power that could be accessed through enhanced grid structure: 163,173 MW Hydro Power, 175,000 MW Wind Power Provinces / Territories Hydropower Potential (MW) Technical Alberta....................................11,775 British Columbia ......................33,137 Manitoba .................................8,785 New Brunswick.........................613.8 Newfoundland & Labrador..........8,540 Northwest Territories.................11,524 Nova Scotia..............................8,499 Nunavut....................................4,307 Ontario....................................10,270 Prince Edward Island..................2.6 Québec.....................................44,100 Saskatchewan...........................3,955 Yukon.......................................17,664 Canada ....................................163,173 Source: Study of the Hydropower Potential in Canada, report prepared by ÉEM for the Canadian Hydropower Association, March 2006. Viable Wind Power Potential Provinces / Territories Wind Power Potential** Ontario....................................38,979 MW*** Quebec...................................101,000 MW**** Notes: ** Canada has abundant high-value wind power resources from the Northwest Territories to Newfoundland and Labrador. Currently, data on viable wind power potential is not publicly available for most provinces. ***Ontario wind energy potential installed capacity (in areas with winds greater than 7.0 m/s): 38,979 MW. Ninety-five per cent of this potential is north of the 50 parallel beyond the current grid structure. Source:http://www.canwea.ca/images/uploads/File/Resources/OPA_Supply_Mix_Consultation_-_Final_Submission.pdf ****Quebec Wind Energy Potential that is technically and economically viable in the short to medium term: 101,000 MW Source:http://www.canwea.ca/images/uploads/File/Wind_Energy_Policy/Provincial/Quebec/QU-energyboard-apr20.pdf For further information: Toby A.A. Heaps, Corporate Knights, (416) 274-1432, toby@corporateknights.ca Karen Kun, Corporate Knights, (416) 887-4709, Karen@corporateknights.ca, www.corporateknights.ca Corporate Knights Inc. Founded in 2002, Corporate Knights Inc. is an independent Canadian-based media company focused on prompting and reinforcing sustainable development in Canada. -30-