increasing public debate about North American energy supply today,
issuing a pointed reminder that Northwest Territories (NWT) energy
supplies can supply the needs of Canada and the United States for
decades and should be developed.
Concerns have been raised recently about the need for secure supplies
of oil and gas, particularly in the context of the American
presidential election. Some have suggested that Canadians should help
fund the construction of the Alaska gas pipeline to help bring
American gas assets to the American market.
Premier Roland emphasized the importance of developing oil and gas
assets in Canada in order to provide a secure supply of energy for
Canada and the U.S.
"The NWT has a recoverable resource of over 75 trillion cubic feet of
natural gas, which can provide secure supply to the continent for
decades," said Premier Roland. "It is vital that this resource be
developed as quickly as possible to serve Canada's interests, and
North America's energy needs."
The proposed Mackenzie Gas Project will transport natural gas from
three major fields in NWT's Mackenzie Delta through 1220 km of new
pipeline to connect with the existing natural gas system that feeds
Canada and the United States.
The Project would bring an additional 1.2 billion cubic feet of gas
per day to North American markets. It would also spur exploration,
development and recovery of additional oil and gas fields in NWT,
bringing further energy supplies to market.
Premier Roland noted the immense opportunity that NWT oil and natural
gas resources can offer, adding over $86 billion to the Canadian
economy and thousands of jobs in NWT and across the country.
"This is a project of national significance, national collaboration,
and national pride, and will bolster Canada's reputation as a world
energy superpower."
For more information, contact:
Julia Mott
4. NWT MP attacks PM's visit
By GABRIEL ZARATE, Slave River Journal
September 3, 2008 - Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington called Prime Minister Stephen Harper's approach to the North “heavy-handed”, saying the PM made an “implicit threat” in linking infrastructure investment to the completion of the Mackenzie Valley pipeline.
Bevington, along with PSAC North Regional Vice-President Jean-Francois Des Lauriers, held a forum meeting in Inuvik where he listened to concerns of locals who did not get to speak to the prime minister while he was in town. About 20-25 people attended, according to Bevington.
“I heard a lot of real disappointment with the failure to announce anything substantial at all for the North,” Bevington said. “It's not up to the prime minister to decide on the plans for the Northwest Territories.”
Bevington insisted he was pushing on issues of real importance to Northerners, such as housing, infrastructure, education and investment in “green” energies.
He repeated earlier statements that oil revenues from the Norman Wells oil field represent a “windfall” for the federal government, which Northerners should get a share of.
The Slave River Journal asked Bevington about a statement by Conservative candidate Brendan Bell, who will compete with Bevington to represent the Western Arctic riding in Parliament. Bell argued the Norman Wells oil field had less than ten years left on it and talk of resource revenues in the NWT should not be “preoccupied” with it.
Bevington replied the Norman Wells field had more production potential than that, and its present limits were only due to the supply of natural gas necessary to pump oil to the surface.
Even if there is so little production left in the well, “all the more reason some of [its revenues] should return to the people of the North,” Bevington argued.
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