Government announces intervenor funding for the White Rose public review process

Mines and Energy Minister Lloyd Matthews announced today that government would be providing intervenor funding to eligible groups and individuals to facilitate participation in the White Rose Development Application public review process.

The minister said that the funding would financially assist individuals or groups who would otherwise be unable to make a meaningful intervention during the public review process. "This funding will provide individuals and groups with the opportunity to outline interests, make constructive comments and voice any concerns about the White Rose Development process. It is important that relevant issues surrounding the project be given an opportunity to be presented, thus safeguarding the integrity of the public review process."

Presentations will be made to the commissioner of the White Rose Development Application public review. The commissioner was appointed by the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board on January 29, 2001. Intervention funding will be limited to those matters which fall under the mandate of the commissioner.

Minister Matthews said that this program demonstrates government's commitment to the public review process."The provincial government provided intervenor funding for the panel review of the Hibernia Development and is now doing the same for the proposed White Rose Development. Public participation in the management and development of the province's natural resources has always been a key component of this government's policy objectives, and it will continue to be a priority in all future developments."

Intervenor funding will be available to any individual or public interest organization that can demonstrate that they lack sufficient funding to make a meaningful presentation; and that they will provide meaningful comment that would contribute to the merit of the public review process.

Minister Matthews said that the amount of individual grants will depend on the nature and number of eligible applications received. "The amount of funding to be allocated to each individual or group will depend upon the number of successful applications. This may result in some applicants receiving less than they requested."

Total program funding could reach a maximum of $100,000. Based on previous intervenor funding programs for offshore developments, grants generally range in the order of $2,000-$5,000. Funding decisions will be made by a funding review committee.

Applications for funding must be submitted to the Department of Mines and Energy by May 16, 2001. Final decisions will be made by May 30, 2001.

Funding guidelines and application form.

Media contact: Darrell Mercer, Communications (709) 729-5777.

2001 04 19                                  2:10 p.m.