Minister Rickford Announces Fourth Official Visit to the United States

OTTAWA, Jan. 13, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, is making his fourth official visit to the United States on January 13–14 to continue engagement on increasing bilateral energy cooperation. Minister Rickford will participate in his fifth official meeting with Dr. Ernest Moniz, United States Secretary of Energy. He will also meet with members of the United States Congress and subject matter experts to advance Canada–United States cooperation on a range of energy issues and shared interests in greater energy security, jobs and environmental sustainability.

Canada and the United States already enjoy the largest energy relationship between any two countries in the world — worth US$140 billion in trade. Minister Rickford and Secretary Moniz have a strong working relationship and have significantly expanded bilateral discussions on energy. This week's meetings are intended to build on substantial milestones achieved, in particular, over the last four months, including:

• Minister Rickford and Secretary Moniz signing a Memorandum of Understanding launching an agreement on 11 areas of enhanced energy collaboration.
• Canada hosting a session of the United States' Quadrennial Energy Review (QER) — the only consultation of industry and subject matter experts of its kind held outside of the U.S.
• New measures aligned with G7 priorities in support of Ukraine, including Canada–U.S. support for the Ukraine government's efforts in contingency planning, outreach activities on oil and gas regulatory frameworks, and a plan to share expertise in energy-efficiency techniques.
• The issuance of a presidential permit for the United States portion of a 540-kilometre Quebec– New York hydro line, which could supply 10 percent of New York City's electricity demand.
• Canada, United States and Mexico formalizing a strategy for a more secure, integrated North American energy approach, enhancing our collective global competitive advantage.

During his visit, Minister Rickford will also highlight the benefits of the Keystone XL pipeline — a responsibility that falls under the purview of the U.S. Secretary of State. He will meet with senior officials from the Department of State for an update on next steps in the process for approval of the project. Information on media availability with Minister Rickford on Wednesday is forthcoming.

Minister Rickford will then travel to Houston and participate in an event related to a new milestone in Canada's contribution to energy security.

Quick Facts

• Canada benefits from one of the cleanest electricity mixes in the world, with 65 percent generated from renewable sources — the highest level in the G7.
• Canada is the world's third-largest producer of hydroelectricity and has the third-largest proven oil reserves (after Venezuela and Saudi Arabia), the second-largest reserves of uranium, the fifth-largest natural gas production and the ninth-highest installed wind capacity.
• Canada's per-capita GHG emissions are now among their lowest level since tracking began. Since 2005, Canada's economy has increased, while Canada's greenhouse gas emissions have decreased.
• There are already 70 pipelines delivering oil and gas across the Canada–U.S. border every day —safely and reliably.
• Both the United States and Canada have dramatically reduced foreign oil imports from offshore, while our oil imports from each other are at record highs.
• Canada's overall tax rate on new business investment is the lowest in the G7.

Quotes

"Canada and the United States are taking consistent, meaningful action enhancing bilateral energy cooperation. We already enjoy the largest energy relationship between any two countries in the world, and our common values underpin that strong collaboration. I look forward to advancing discussions that continue our long, productive history of cooperation on a wide range of energy issues and shared interests in greater energy security, jobs and environmental sustainability."

The Honourable Greg Rickford
Canada's Minister of Natural Resources

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

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