Minister Rickford Concludes Successful Visit to Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today concluded his second official visit to Washington, D.C., to further enhance bilateral energy cooperation. Minister Rickford and Dr. Ernest Moniz, U.S. Secretary of Energy, met for the fifth time to renew engagement related to substantial milestones already achieved in their discussions, including:

• Signing a Memorandum of Understanding launching an agreement on 11 areas of enhanced energy collaboration.
• Canada hosting the 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 Ukraine'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 that 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.

They also signed an Implementing Arrangement for Collaboration in Nuclear Science and Technology. This new agreement will allow Canadian scientists to collaborate with their American colleagues on a range of nuclear science and technology issues, stimulating innovation. Minister Rickford and Secretary Moniz committed to meeting again in the coming months.

The Minister also met with Fred Upton (R-MI), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Minister Rickford met with senior members of Congress including Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Senator Angus King (I-ME) and Representative Kevin Cramer (R-ND) to advance Canada–United States cooperation on a range of energy issues and shared interests in greater energy security, jobs and environmental sustainability.

Minister Rickford highlighted the benefits of the Keystone XL pipeline — a responsibility that falls under the purview of the U.S. Secretary of State. He met with senior officials from the Department of State during his visit and was updated on next steps for approval of the project.

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

"Our countries are taking consistent, meaningful action enhancing bilateral energy cooperation. Canada and the United States already enjoy the largest energy relationship between any two countries in the world, and our common values underpin that strong collaboration. We are reinforcing our countries' 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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