Minister to participate in Energy Council�s annual meeting

Mines and Energy Minister Lloyd Matthews will participate in the Energy Council�s annual meeting from September 19 - 22, in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The Energy Council is a legislative organization of 10 energy-producing states ranging from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean. These member states produce more than 80 per cent of United States (U.S.) oil and gas output and include leading coal, uranium, and renewable energy-producing states. The province of Newfoundland and Labrador, the province of Alberta and the nation of Venezuela are the Energy Council�s three international affiliates.

"This annual meeting will provide this province with another opportunity to discuss our energy potential with our colleagues in the Energy Council," said Mr. Matthews. "This will be the first Energy Council conference since the Northeastern Energy Forum held in St. John�s last month, and I look forward to receiving positive feedback from participants that attended."

The minister noted that he will be providing a report to the council on the Northeastern Energy Forum and the lessons learned from a Newfoundland and Labrador perspective.

"The potential energy needs of our neighbours in the northeastern U.S. were highlighted at the forum, and as a province, we now have a clearer picture of what demands will need to be addressed in the future," said the minister. "We will continue to take advantage of these events to promote our resource opportunities to potential investors, while learning from the experiences of others, to develop our energy resources in a manner that provides maximum opportunity and benefits to our citizens."

Newfoundland and Labrador became a member of the Energy Council in December 2001. Government is committed to actively pursuing all opportunities to encourage and promote new investment in this province�s energy resource base.

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

2002 09 19                                       11:45 a.m.