NL-Outsidethebox [confederation]

Here are a few of the issues and questions from the NL energy discussion paper.
Issues and Questions for Discussion

Security of Supply

Questions:
⇒How can government energy policy contribute to meeting the province’s energy needs
over the medium to long terms?
⇒What impact does our relatively small domestic demand have on the development of new
energy supplies?
⇒How can our province cooperate with other provinces and the federal government to ensure
our energy security?
⇒What steps can the provincial and federal governments take to encourage the necessary
investments to maintain the security of supply, for example an East-West transmission
grid?
⇒Can, and if so should, the Government take additional measures to ensure competitively
priced energy in Newfoundland and Labrador?


Fossil Fuels Supply and Demand

Questions:
⇒How can the petroleum industry best provide reliable and competitively priced petroleum
products and services?
⇒What impact do federal policies in areas such as climate change, inter-provincial trade
and international trade have on fossil fuel supply and demand in Newfoundland and Labrador?
How can the provincial government influence federal policies?
⇒What, if any, contribution should we expect from our own oil and gas production to meet
energy needs in this province over the medium and long terms?
⇒Can, and if so should, the provincial government do anything to reduce dependency on
petroleum products?


Electricity Supply and Demand

Questions:
⇒How can the electrical industry best provide reliable and competitively priced electricity?
⇒Given the existing limitations of electricity generation options, will adequate electricity
supplies be available in sufficient time and quantity to meet new demand over the medium
and long terms?
⇒What contribution can be expected from undeveloped hydro resources in Labrador and
on the Island to meet energy needs in the province?
⇒Should the Government continue the moratorium on small hydroelectricity projects on
the Island?
⇒Can, and if so should, the Province rely on oil generated (thermal) electricity to meet future
demand?
⇒Can natural gas provide a competitively priced thermal source of electricity, and on what
timescale?


Alternative Energy and Energy Conservation

Questions:
⇒What types of alternative energy sources could be developed in this province?
⇒What contribution can we expect from alternative energy sources (e.g. wind, solar and
biomass) to meet the province’s energy needs over the medium and long terms?
⇒What criteria should the Government use to judge the potential and value of investment in
alternative energy sources?
⇒What can the federal and provincial governments do to encourage the adoption of alternative
energy technologies?
⇒What efficiency or conservation measures will or can be implemented by energy consumers,
and what impact would they have on energy demands?
⇒What actions can the federal and provincial governments take to improve the effectiveness
of existing energy sector programs, as well as to assist consumers to use energy more efficiently?


Environment and Sustainable Development

Questions:
⇒How should Government incorporate sustainable development and environmental objectives
into energy planning, and on what timescale?
⇒How should Government ensure that the environmental impacts of energy development
and use are adequately addressed in energy policy?
⇒How can we apply technology and the efficient use of energy resources to achieve sustainable
development objectives and protect our environment?


Economic and Regional Development

Questions:
⇒How can we use energy resources and energy policy to attract investment and create a
more diverse business and industrial sector?
⇒What can the Government do to ensure that we achieve the appropriate levels of employment
and industrial benefits from our energy industry?
⇒How can we increase and capitalize on existing research and development opportunities
and knowledge of our energy sector to encourage additional investment and new investors?
⇒What can Government policy do to increase employment and business opportunities for
women and other groups in the energy sector?
⇒What are the options for value-added, secondary processing and other activities in the
provincial energy sector?


Oil and Gas Exploration and Development

Questions:
⇒What are some additional ways the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador can promote
greater interest among existing and new operators in exploring the province’s oil and
gas potential?
⇒What can Government do to ensure more timely petroleum developments?
⇒What are the options for developing our natural gas resources? How do we encourage
investment in commercializing known reserves?
⇒What are the options for petrochemicals, refining and other processing / value-added opportunities
in the province?
⇒How can we facilitate cooperative industry - labour relations?


Energy Exports

Questions:
⇒In developing energy policy, how important is it to consider the impact of energy resource
exports on the provincial economy and the financing of public services?
⇒What are the benefits and limitations of exporting the energy created by renewable resources,
and are they different for non-renewable energy resource exports such as oil and
gas?
⇒What role should energy exports play in the development of NL energy resources in the
future?


Energy Sector Organization

Questions:
⇒In light of the issues raised, does anything need to be changed or strengthened in the current
structure, organization, and resourcing of government agencies responsible for developing
energy policy and delivering energy services?

If you have a response or idea relating to any of these questions you can oice your concern or idea on the Energy discusion paper site.