NEWS RELEASE

Ref: 850-069/08

Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers
Fredericton, New Brunswick - June 7-9, 1998

RESOLUTION 23-4

RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE NORTHEAST INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE ON ENERGY

      WHEREAS changes currently underway in energy markets in the United States and Canada, particularly electric restructuring and industry deregulation, offer considerable potential for lowering energy costs to consumers while adding to the uncertainty of energy planning; and

      WHEREAS the New England states and Eastern Canadian provinces have close historical and economic ties in the energy sector, especially in electricity trade and promoting the energy security of the region; and

      WHEREAS the development of large new sources of natural gas and the expansion of existing gas infrastructure in Eastern Canada will significantly increase the access to natural gas in New England and create economic opportunities throughout the region; and

      WHEREAS energy technologies, including renewables, efficiency, and transportation, are significant and high-growth industries in New England and Eastern Canada; and

      WHEREAS the role of energy production and utilization in the emission of greenhouse gases, mercury, and other airborne pollutants require the development of energy strategies to promote a clean and healthy environment.

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Conference directs its Northeast International Committee on Energy (NICE) to continue to monitor developments in the energy markets resulting from restructuring and deregulation;

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT NICE convene a series of meetings to address issues of the contribution of energy sources in the region to global warming, emission trading, environmental tracking of electricity transactions, energy reliability and security, and the development of new gas and electric resources in the region.

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT NICE, working with the secretariats, report on its findings at the next annual meeting of the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers.

Adopted at The 23rd Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, June 7-9, 1998.

_____________________________ Premier Camille Thériault New Brunswick Co-Chair

_____________________________ Governor Jeanne Shaheen New Hampshire Co-Chair

Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat (CICS)

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