The following is being distributed at the request the Atlantic Council of Premiers:

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The Atlantic Energy Ministers' Conference, established by the Council of Atlantic Premiers, will meet Sunday, February 15 and Monday, February 16.

Cecil Clarke, Nova Scotia Minister of Energy, is pleased to welcome Atlantic Canada's Energy Ministers to Sydney Mines, Cape Breton. Jamie Ballem, Minister of Environment and Energy for Prince Edward Island, will chair the meetings. Ed Byrne, Minister of Mines and Energy,

Newfoundland and Labrador, and Bruce Fitch, Minister of Energy, New Brunswick, will also attend.

The meetings will take place at the Gowrie House Inn. Ministers will be available for comment at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, February 16 at the Gowrie House Inn, 840 Shore Road, Sydney Mines.

All media representatives - including journalists, photographers, camera operators and technicians - are asked to register by submitting their name, affiliation and contact information to Karen Kelloway, Nova Scotia Department of Energy, by Friday, February 13.

Media contact:

          Karen Kelloway
          Department of Energy
          Bank of Montreal Building, 4th Floor
          5151 George St.
          P.O. Box 2664
          Halifax, N.S. B3J 3P7
          (902) 424-1757
          Fax: (902) 424-0528
          E-mail: kellowkl@gov.ns.ca

          Sandra Lambe
          Prince Edward Island
          (902) 368-5286

          Marc Belliveau
          New Brunswick
          (506) 444-5912

          Carmel Turpin
          Newfoundland and Labrador
          (709) 729-5282

2004 02 11                                        4:40 p.m.