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Canadian Electricity Association calls for enhanced Canada-U.S. electricity relationship

WASHINGTON, DC — The Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) earlier ths week released its North American policy paper in Washington DC, entitled "The Integrated Electricity System: Sustainable Electricity as the Foundation for Economic Recovery in North America." The paper presents the Canadian industry's views on opportunities for enhancing the Canada-US electricity relationship to help move toward a more sustainable energy economy in North America. It can be found on the CEA website at www.electricity.ca.

"As both Canadian and U.S. economies move toward recovery, we welcome the growing consensus that clean energy must be a cornerstone of our new economic framework," said CEA President and Chief Executive Officer Pierre Guimond. "A bilateral relationship quite unique in this world exists between Canada and the United States; our relationship offers a powerful opportunity to make impacts on a broad and comprehensive scale."

Of the issues examined and discussed in this report, Guimond says: "Promoting clean technologies and environmental performance, building secure and reliable infrastructure, and ensuring sustained cross-border trade are foundational. As we move together toward a future where electricity will be used in more and more applications daily, our focus will be on the industry's ability to provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable electricity to North Americans. Working on this in tandem, and with purpose, will be essential if we are to deliver on our promise of a clean energy future for both Americans and Canadians."

The CEA paper is produced annually in conjunction with the Association's Washington Policy Forum. During this event, Canadian electricity industry executives will be meeting with senior-level policymakers from the US administration and Congress who play a leading role in developing legislation and regulation impacting the electricity sector. CEA will also engage in strategic discussion with its counterparts in US industry organizations on issues of mutual interest.

"Keeping US decision makers apprised of the Canadian factor on electricity issues specifically, and energy issues generally, is an ongoing responsibility," noted Guimond. "The trade and commerce of electricity is vital to both countries. The flow of electricity north and south across our mutual border must never be taken for granted."

Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) members generate, transmit and distribute electrical energy to industrial, commercial, residential and institutional customers across Canada every day. From vertically integrated electric utilities, to power marketers, to the manufacturers and suppliers of materials, technology and services that keep the industry running smoothly -- all are represented by this national industry association.

The full report is available in both official languages on the Canadian Electricity Association website at www.electricity.ca.

April 15, 2010  By  Rob Colman