FREDERICTON (CNB) – Former cabinet minister Jeannot Volpé and former energy deputy minister Bill Thompson have been appointed to a new energy commission tasked with developing a long-term plan for a stronger energy future for New Brunswickers.

Premier David Alward and Energy Minister Craig Leonard made the announcement this morning in Saint John.

The commission will recommend a progressive energy policy for New Brunswick and offer advice on the future direction of NB Power. It will release a 10-year strategy with specific recommendations in six months.

"New Brunswickers want predictability and stability in the energy sector, knowing that their ideas and concerns are being addressed in setting out a long-term energy strategy," said Alward. "This commission will provide concrete, specific actions on how we can best ensure New Brunswick can enjoy a viable, stable and healthy energy sector now and in the future."

Jeannot Volpé was first elected to the legislature in 1995 and retired following the September 2010 general election. He served as minister of natural resources and energy, and later as minister of finance for then-premier Bernard Lord. After the 2006 election, he served as Official Opposition critic for areas of interest relating to energy, finance and human resources and was interim leader of the official Opposition from Feb. 1, 2007, until Oct. 17, 2008.

William M. (Bill) Thompson served as the first deputy minister of the new department of energy from 2003-06, and chaired the ad hoc committee on NB Power restructuring, commercialization and related matters. In 2008, Thompson and former New Brunswick System Operator president William Marshall produced a report on the structure of the province's electricity market and its impact on the structure and governance of NB Power. He was general manager of the New Brunswick Salmon Growers' Association from 1991-99, and is a past president of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Association.

The commission is one of 10 items the provincial government has committed to implement by the end of this year. The commission will build upon the work undertaken by Pierre-Marcel Desjardins and Darrell Stephenson, who spent a number of months earlier this year consulting with New Brunswickers and developing a discussion document on New Brunswick's energy landscape .

The commission will:

●    undertake extensive public consultations with New Brunswickers, neighbouring provinces and states;
●    develop a clear and measurable energy policy;
●    examine the possibilities for long-term energy purchase agreements;
●    examine energy production, consumption and exports;
●    develop measurable targets on economic activity, environmental performance, cost, reliability and financial performance; and
●    develop a long-term debt-management strategy for NB Power.

"By working in consultation with New Brunswickers, I am confident the commissioners will develop an energy policy that will benefit all ratepayers in every region of our province," said Leonard. "I want to thank these talented and committed New Brunswickers for agreeing to serve on the commission to address our energy challenges."

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