FREDERICTION (CNB) – There is still time to participate in the citizen engagement process which is focused on developing a 10-year energy plan for the province. Energy commission co-chairs Jeannot Volpé and William Thompson said today that the public have until March 14 to complete one or all of the five online surveys in various categories.
"We thank all those who attended one of our public forums, submitted briefs, made presentations or completed online surveys," said Thompson. "We need input from all New Brunswickers on how to find the right balance among priorities such as the environment, the economy, efficient regulation, and energy affordability."
To date the commission has had participation from more than 1,100 New Brunswickers who attended public meetings, presentations or public dialogue sessions during a recent nine-community tour by the commission. The commission has also met with nearly 60 stakeholder groups and received numerous written responses and input from online surveys.
"The response has been great and we look forward to even more input from New Brunswickers in the coming weeks," said Volpe. "We are eager to receive as much information and as many opinions as possible in order to help us draft recommendations and provide a final report to government."
Ideas and opinions can be contributed through a series of online questionnaires which have been posted to the commission's website. Written submissions to the commission co-chairs will also be accepted until March 14th by fax, 506-444-5028, or by e-mail, [email protected]. The commission will provide draft recommendations for public review in April with the goal of providing a final report to government later in May.
The provincial government created the New Brunswick Energy Commission in October, 2010 with a mandate to conduct a broad public consultation and report to government on a long-term energy plan. More information on the commission and its mandate is available online.
LINKS:
● New Brunswick Energy Commission: www.gnb.ca/energycommission
● Commission surveys: www.gnb.ca/Commission/survey-e.asp
24-02-11