econext recommending members participate in NL renewable energy plan stakeholder engagement

For Immediate Release
October 26, 2021

The Provincial Government is inviting input from stakeholders and the public on the development of a renewable energy plan to provide a sustainable long-term vision for Newfoundland and Labrador to maximize its renewable energy future.

econext is encouraging its members to participate in the stakeholder engagement. “Newfoundland and Labrador has an abundance of clean energy resources that, if developed, would do much to grow and diversify this province’s economy,” says Kieran Hanley, econext‘s Executive Director. “Now is the time to develop our priorities and make the necessary changes that are required to unlock this province’s potential.”

Hanley says that econext members should ‘think big’ with their ideas and feedback. “The resulting renewable energy plan will only be as good as the input provided to decision-makers during the stakeholder engagement,” noted Hanley, “and so it is very important that the private sector put its best food forward over the course of the next 10 days.”

Hanley said that members should consider how government can help enable private sector led renewable energy projects (e.g. supporting policies, removal of regulatory barriers, etc.) – with the understanding that domestic electricity needs are already largely met through clean energy sources. “Let’s think big, but let’s also focus on the clear and present opportunities.”

The stakeholder engagement continues until Thursday, November 4, 2021. Feedback can be provided via engageNL.ca, which includes an online questionnaire and the option of providing a written submission.

Resources:

Hanley notes that econext will be submitting a series of recommendations to government on behalf of its membership, and asks that members participating in the stakeholder engagement also send their feedback to kieran@econext.ca.

“The emerging importance of clean fuels like hydrogen in the global fight against climate change, and increasing regional electricity demands and cooperation, are opening new doors for the development of renewable energy resources,” says Hanley. “Newfoundland and Labrador is in an excellent position to give the world what it needs – it’s time to take concrete action to seize these opportunities.”

econext is an association of businesses that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador. econext works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.

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Media Contact
Kieran Hanley, Executive Director, econext
kieran@econext.ca