Yellowknife (March 26, 2015) – On April 1st 2015, the Government of the Northwest Territories will be consolidating energy related functions within the department of Public Works and Services (PWS).
The new energy activity will be comprised of functions currently in the departments of Public Works and Services, Environment and Natural Resources, Industry, Tourism and Investment and the Northwest Territories Energy Corporation that deal with energy policy and planning, research, programs and project delivery.
“By bringing together all energy related activities in one department I am confident that we will strengthen our ability as a government to deliver energy projects and programs,” said PWS Minister Tom Beaulieu. “Our ability to research and implement ways to be more energy efficient and develop renewable energy projects focused on reducing costs for Northerners will be greatly enhanced under this new structure.”
The consolidated energy activity will be responsible for government-wide energy activities that include:
- energy policy and planning;
- developing and implementing alternative and renewable energy projects; and
- fuel services which will deliver the Petroleum Products Program.
“As we designed our organization to manage the new responsibilities we received through devolution, energy was one area where we saw some opportunities for improvement,” said Premier Bob McLeod, Minister for New Energy Initiatives. “Consolidating the GNWT’s energy functions is a way for us to strengthen the organization and find creative and effective ways to address high energy costs and lower the cost of living for NWT residents and businesses.”
Existing positions were combined to create the new energy activity and the consolidation will be cost neutral. As an established branch of government dedicated to NWT energy issues, the energy activity will focus on opportunities to further reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing the use of renewable energy technologies. The establishment of a consolidated energy activity in PWS is consistent with the 17th Assembly’s goal of effective and efficient government.
Please click here to view the backgrounder.
Media inquiries:
Roya Grinsted
Communications Officer
Government of the NWT
Tel: 867-669-2308
Email: roya_grinsted@gov.nt.ca