N.B. energy board to seek public input

TheNew Brunswickgovernment wants to hear from the public about how to shape an energy policy for the next 10 years.

The two-member energy commission, appointed after the Tory government took office last fall, is about to travel the province looking for input.

Jeannot Volp, a former Tory energy and finance minister, and Bill Thompson, a former deputy minister of energy in the Lord government, are charged with the task.

"We're looking for advice from all New Brunswickers on how to balance the rising cost of energy against economic development and the environment," Thompson said. "These three key components interact and overlap."

New Brunswick can now buy natural gas from the United States for a price that's cheaper than the cost of producing power in the province. That raises questions whether NB Power needs to run 16 generating stations.

"Should 750,00 people in New Brunswick try to be an energy island, or should New Brunswickers look out to see if they can partner with, or get involved with, other jurisdictions in the area?" Thompson said.

"The biggest thing is the balancing between the environment, economic development and energy prices. We have to know what New Brunswickers think should be a priority, how far we should go in the different areas, should we use energy as an economic development tool, should energy prices be the most important thing, regardless of what the environmental concerns are?"

Volp and Thompson will hold community meetings over three weeks. They will then recommend an energy strategy in April.

In addition to the public hearings, they're also asking people to fill out online questionnaires about what energy choices New Brunswick should make.

The former Liberal government was defeatedin last fall's election largely because of its failed plan tosell NB Power to Hydro-Qubec