News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – David Besner, a professional chemical engineer and a former assistant deputy minister with the provincial government, has been named interim chair of the New Brunswick Energy Institute, effective immediately.

Energy and Mines Minister Craig Leonard has been informed that members of the council unanimously selected Besner for the position. The provincial government will now work toward appointing a permanent chair.

"David Besner is a current member of the scientific advisory council for the New Brunswick Energy Institute, and as such he is very familiar with the framework that has been established for the institute," Leonard said. "I am pleased that he has accepted to lead the institute on an interim basis as it prepares to launch the water monitoring program along with several other key initiatives."

Besner earned a bachelor of science in chemical engineering from the University of New Brunswick in 1966 and a PhD in environmental health engineering from the University of Texas in 1970. He served as an assistant professor of civil engineering at Youngstown State University and as an environment project engineer with Imperial Oil before serving as assistant deputy minister of environment and local government. He played a prominent role in establishing many of New Brunswick's environmental regulations, particularly those relating to water and air emissions.

"David's background in the public and private sectors as well as academia provides him with a tremendous background to be a key member of the scientific advisory council, and I look forward to his leadership of the institute until a new chair can be named," Leonard said.

Besner said he is looking forward to the opportunity.

"We are in the early days of the institute, and I am pleased to play a part in moving it forward," Besner said. "The institute brings together an amazing group of scientists to serve as members of the scientific advisory council and as well as an equally impressive group of research fellows. I look forward to working with all of these incredible minds as we determine safe, sustaining and environmentally acceptable ways to deal with New Brunswick's energy future."

The members of the scientific advisory council have had several conversations since the resignation of the former chair and have been unwavering in their support to move the institute forward.

"There was never a question whether to continue our mandate, as the work the institute has been assigned to do is far too important for our province," Besner said. "Our group was unanimous in support of the institute, the structure that has been established and the role we need to play in helping New Brunswick make key decisions about our energy future.

"New Brunswickers are looking to be informed about what New Brunswick's energy future can and should look like, and all of us who have taken on a role with the institute take that role seriously," Besner added. "Today, we are looking primarily at shale gas, but, in the future, I see the institute playing a leading role in helping to design our future in all forms of energy options."
 
The other members of the scientific advisory council are:

Adrian Park, an instructor in earth sciences at the University of New Brunswick, has expertise in structural geology and economic geology along with extensive knowledge of the structural history of Caledonian terrain and Appalachian Mountains in southern New Brunswick.

Tom Al, a professor in earth sciences at the University of New Brunswick, has expertise in hydrogeology, groundwater chemistry and the movement of contaminants in groundwater.

Fred Metallic, of Listuguj Que., holds a PhD in environmental studies from York University; a master in arts in Canadian and native studies from Trent University; and a bachelor of arts with honours in native studies and sociology, also from Trent University.

Maurice Dusseault, a professor at the University of Waterloo, has written two textbooks and published about 500 articles, mostly related to resource geomechanics. He has an extensive consulting background, particularly in oil and gas development and shale gas geomechanics, including hydraulic fracturing, well integrity and waste management.

Karen Kidd, a professor at the University of New Brunswick, is an eco-toxicologist who studies the fate and effects of chemicals in aquatic environments.

Richard Saillant is general director of the Canadian Institute for Research and Public Policy and Public Administration, an autonomous research organization located at the Université de Moncton. Before joining the institute in July, he was vice-president, administation and human resources, at the Université de Moncton. From 1997 to 2011, he held various positions in a number of federal departments in Ottawa, including the Privy Council Office, the Department of Finance, the Treasury Board Secretariat, Industry Canada and Transport Canada.