2030 Energy Strategy

Summaries of what we heard during the regional engagements are available online on the GNWT website www.gov.nt.ca WHAT WE HEARD The GNWT engaged Northerners in all NWT regions throughout the Fall and Winter of 2016/2017 to gather input on the NWT Energy Strategy and the NWT Climate Change Strategic Framework. Workshops were held in Inuvik, Norman Wells, Fort Smith, Yellowknife, Fort Simpson, and Hay River. Summary reports on the regional engagement can be found here. The GNWT also ran an online survey and received written submissions. A one- day workshop was also held among industry, regulatory and government officials to discuss specific Strategy considerations for the electricity sector. Here is a summary of What We Heard: Maintain Affordability and Help Northerners Make Better Energy Choices The key message we heard is to maintain affordability. There is broad support for the expansion of renewable and alternative energy, and the use of energy efficiency and conservation practices, but such choices are generally seen as much more expensive. NWT power rates are already high. There is support for setting emissions targets, as long as they are achievable and do not increase energy costs for consumers. Common suggestions we heard to achieve this are: . Redistribute carbon tax revenues to those impacted and direct the rest into renewable energy projects • Provide up-front financial incentives to assist consumers in making more energy-efficient purchases Expand and increase the flexibility of energy efficiency programs and services Involve Communities in Energy Development Participants told us they want more information and involvement in energy decisions. For some people, this means receiving additional information about energy options and why our energy choices matter. For others, it means being a partner in energy planning and decisions, byunderstanding the choices, contributing traditional and local knowledge, evaluating options, and having a meaningful role in decisions. For some, it means partnering with community and Aboriginal governments and businesses to deliver local energy conservation and efficiency programs. For others, it means they want to be the ones generating energy. The GNWT has heard that more communication and outreach is needed to support all of these aspirations for greater involvement and understanding. Design Locally Appropriate Solutions Northerners expressed strong support for local and renewable energy projects and biomass- based heating projects. Recentsuccessful GNWT-funded community-based projects have helped build this support. For example, the Colville Lake Hybrid Solar-Battery project, the Lutsel K'e and Fort Simpson Solar Energy Projects, and the Inuvik Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project. These are proven technologies that enable communities to reduce their environmental impacts. These projects were tailored to the conditions and needs of the community, with considerable community involvement. On the other hand, we heard concern and uncertainty about the economic and environmental impacts of large scale hydroelectricity. Look Beyond the Communities Past GNWT energy plans have focused on electricity use. If this Strategy is to set targets for emissions reductions, then we must look beyond community power generation and government energy use and also target fossil fuel used for heating and transportation across all sectors. We must engage the major energy users- the transportation and industrial sectors as key partners in setting and achieving targets. While our large area, small population, limited infrastructure and remoteness offer challenges, these sectors represent the largest potential to impact energy use. Industry representatives have stated their commitment to support the transition to a lower carbon future and to a constructive partnership, but they need government support. Some suggest making the carbon tax revenue neutral within each sector, and establishing targeted funds for innovation, infrastructure, research and development of energy systems and energy corridors. 9

View entire presentation