35th Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers

 

RESOLUTION 35-3

RESOLUTION CONCERNING ENERGY

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WHEREAS, the efforts of the NEG/ECP states and provinces have resulted in the identification and development of significant clean and renewable energy resources; and

WHEREAS, the Governors and Premiers wish to maximize the benefit of the region’s clean and renewable energy resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the NEG/ECP and adjacent jurisdictions; and

WHEREAS, the Governors and Premiers recognize the significant influence natural gas markets and gas transmission infrastructure play in the region’s energy markets and reliability, including those for other fuels and energy sources; and

WHEREAS, the exploitation of the region’s hydroelectric, wind, bio-mass, and tidal energy potential can be facilitated by expanding the capacity and operation of transmission assets in a coordinated manner; and

WHEREAS, the Governors and Premiers wish to promote an efficient and competitive energy market for the region to the benefit of all consumers.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Northeast International Committee on Energy (NICE) will convene an energy dialogue that will bring together policy-makers, regulators, and other energy market stakeholders to assess near-term and longer term energy market conditions, particularly taking into consideration aging infrastructure and the benefits of diversification of supply; assess opportunities for the expansion of renewable generation, including required transmission upgrades, thermal markets and trade; and develop recommendations for further action on these issues for the consideration of the Governors and Premiers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Governors and Premiers ask the NICE to examine ways to work with the private sector to facilitate and optimize the planning of energy (including gas) transmission systems in the region; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NEG/ECP region is desirous of further developing marine generation options, and directs the NICE to pursue greater collaboration and information exchange in the sustainable development of technology and regulation in this area; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NEG/ECP region recognizes the important role of biomass as an energy source within the international northeast region, and directs the NICE to share best practices that promote the sustainable and efficient use of our region’s biomass resources.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Governors and Premiers acknowledge the work completed by the New England State Committee on Electricity (NESCOE) in developing a forecast of significant energy infrastructure development and asks the members of NICE to assist NESCOE in completing the development of guidelines for the procurement of renewable energy for New England.

 

Adopted at the 35th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern
Canadian Premiers in Halifax, Nova Scotia, July 11, 2011.