Report

DELEGATION MEMBERS

From 12–14 August 2018, Senator Diane Griffin, Vice-Chair, represented the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group at the annual conference of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG/ECP) in Stowe, Vermont.

THE EVENT

Established in 1973, the NEG/ECP is an inter-regional, bi-national organization of 11 jurisdictions: six New England states – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont – and five Eastern Canadian provinces – New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.

The NEG/ECP governors and premiers meet alternately in Eastern Canada and the New England states to address issues of shared concern, and to cooperate in developing networks and relationships, taking collective action, engaging in regional projects and endorsing projects by others, undertaking research and increasing public awareness of common interests.

Over time, the conference of the NEG/ECP has addressed many topics of shared bilateral interest, including trade, the environment, economic development, tourism, energy, fisheries and agriculture.

In addition to Vermont Governor Phil Scott and New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant, who served as co-chairs, this year’s NEG/ECP conference was attended by the following governors and premiers: Charlie Baker, Governor of Massachusetts; Dannel Malloy, Governor of Connecticut; Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador; Philippe Couillard, Premier of Quebec; and Wade MacLauchlan, Premier of Prince Edward Island. The other heads of delegation were: Taylor Craswell, Commissioner of New Hampshire’s Department of Business and Economic Affairs; Macky McLeary, Administrator of Rhode Island’s Department of Public Utilities and Carriers; and Geoff MacLellan, who holds a number of ministerial positions in addition to serving as the Government House Leader in Nova Scotia’s House of Assembly.

At the conclusion of the conference, the NEG/ECP adopted the following four resolutions:

• 42-1:   Resolution Concerning Adaptation
• 42-2:  Resolution Concerning Energy Security and Affordability
• 42-3:   Resolution Encouraging Regional Cooperation in Support of Business Development
• 42-4:   Resolution Concerning the North American Free Trade Agreement and the benefits of   Cross-Border Trade.

The NEG/ECP will hold its next conference in September 2019 in Saint John, New Brunswick.

DELEGATION OBJECTIVES FOR THE EVENT

The Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group aims to find points of convergence in respective national policies, to initiate dialogue on points of divergence, to encourage the exchange of information and to promote better understanding among legislators on shared issues of concern. Members of the Inter-Parliamentary Group’s Canadian Section meet regularly with their federal counterparts and, a number of years ago, started to attend meetings of governors and state legislators. At these events, Canadian delegates engage in conversations that will help the Canadian Section to achieve its objectives, and to communicate the nature and scope of the bilateral relationship.

ACTIVITIES DURING THE EVENT

During the NEG/ECP’s 2018 conference, business-to-business meetings were held and the following plenary sessions occurred:

• The Evolution of Energy Storage
• The Role of Policy to Drive EV Innovation
• A Keynote Address by Jason Grumet
• NAFTA and Trade.

This report summarizes the discussions that occurred at the conference.

THE EVOLUTION OF ENERGY STORAGE

Adam Knudsen, Dynapower

• The “economics” of renewable energies is becoming more favourable.
• While the ability to harness innovation has been the “biggest step forward,” it is difficult to innovate fast enough to meet the accelerated market demand for innovation.
• Increased storage of solar energy will significantly reduce the cost of this energy source.

Mary Sprayregen, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation

• Energy storage on a regional basis should be part of a more integrated systems approach.
• Policy plays an important role in standards and codes.
• Governments could provide incentives to encourage innovation and increased use of energy storage technology in the private sector.

Jason Aspin, Aspin Kemp & Associates

• New technologies will lead energy storage to be less costly.
• With an increase in renewable energy on the electrical grid, there is an increased need for storage.

Sue Gander, National Governors Association

• A significant increase in energy storage is likely to be “the next great opportunity.”
• Energy storage is part of a broader energy plan.

THE ROLE OF POLICY TO DRIVE EV INNOVATION

Marcy Reed, National Grid

• More than 40% of greenhouse gases in the United States’ northeast are derived from transportation; electric vehicle use should rise.
• A carbon pricing mechanism is needed, and the revenue collected should be allocated to funding the electrification of transportation; tax credits are also needed.
• Utilities have a role to play regarding customer awareness, market access, affordability and the establishment of clear behavioral targets.

Dave Farnsworth, Regulatory Assistance Project

• “Good policy” needs to include goals.
• Utilities should encourage people to charge their electric vehicles at night.

June Tierney, Vermont Public Service Department

• Regulatory powers alone are not able to achieve goals.
• Regulators need to be flexible to accommodate innovations.
• Stakeholder consultations are an important part of regulation development.

John Gilbrook, Chargepoint

• Guidance regarding the sale and resale of charging stations should be clear and practical.
• New buildings should have electric vehicle charging capabilities, and retrofitting of existing buildings should be considered.
• “Fast-charging corridors” for electric vehicles are needed.

A KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Jason Grumet, Bipartisan Policy Center

• Partisanship has become a more “forceful component” of the “political conversation,” a situation that has not always existed in Washington, D.C.
• Regardless of political party, civility and collaboration should be the focus of conversations.

NAFTA AND TRADE

Raymond Bachand, Institut de Québec

• Regarding the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), uncertainty exists and investment is being negatively affected.
• Concerning NAFTA, it is too early to discuss compromise; compromise should occur only at the end of the renegotiation process.

James Knott, Jr., Riverdale Mills

• The “F” has been taken out of NAFTA.
• The U.S. tariffs that are being applied on certain Canadian steel and aluminum products are having negative effects on some firms.
• Bad policy quickly becomes “bad politics.”

Robert Letovsky, St. Michael’s College

• Some U.S. states are signing agreements with Canada’s provinces.
• Tariffs have negative impacts on consumers.
• Too many people have stayed silent during the renegotiation of NAFTA.

Maryscott Greenwood, Canadian American Business Council

• Americans and Canadians do not want to be subsidized; they want fair competition.
• Some chapters are being included in NAFTA for the first time, such as energy, digital trade and non-corruption, and negotiations on a number of chapters are nearing completion.

Respectfully submitted,