BILL NO. 49
(as introduced)
2nd Session, 58th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
50 Elizabeth II, 2001
Energy Council Act
Howard Epstein
Halifax Chebucto
First Reading: May 3, 2001
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
An Act to Establish the
Nova Scotia Energy Council
Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:
1 This Act may be cited as the Energy Council Act.
2 In this Act,
(a) "Council" means the Nova Scotia Energy Council established by this Act;
(b) "energy" means
(ii) the sources, fuels or processes, or any of them, that are or may be used to produce, generate or collect energy as defined in subclause (i), or
(iii) both energy as defined in subclause (i) and the sources, fuels or processes or any of them, as defined in subclause (ii);
(c) "Minister" means the member of the Executive Council assigned responsibility for this Act.
3 (1) There is hereby established the Nova Scotia Energy Council consisting of no fewer than five persons appointed by the Governor in Council.
(2) The Governor in Council shall appoint one member of the Council to be the Chair of the Council.
4 (1) The Council shall, in accordance with a concern for the Province's global obligation to be responsible in all matters having to do with energy, including a desire for sustainability, intergenerational equity, protection of public health and economic development,
(a) develop and recommend to the Minister energy policies for the Province, including policies relating to the exploration for, production, recovery, manufacture, processing, transmission, distribution, sale, purchase, exchange, disposal, supply, demand, use, conservation, allocation and export of energy;
(b) gather, compile, study and keep under review such statistical, technical and other information as may enable the Council to have knowledge and to keep the Minister apprised of current conditions relating to the present and future availability of energy supplies in the Province, in Canada and in other countries;
(c) carry out such surveys, research programs or other projects, either alone or jointly with any commission or agency of the Government of the Province or of the Government of Canada, or any person, corporation, association or body, as it deems necessary or as the Minister may direct;
(d) disseminate to the public information relating to the use, conservation, allocation or supply of energy;
(e) co-ordinate existing programs or measures relating to the use, conservation, allocation or supply of energy;
(f) implement any programs or measures recommended pursuant to clause (a); and
(g) do such other things relating to the use, conservation, allocation or supply of energy that the Council deems necessary.
(2) Any recommendations made or advice given by the Council to the Minister pursuant to subsection (1) shall be made after public consultation and shall be based upon consultations to be held by the Council with persons and groups having a special interest in matters relating to energy and the consultations shall be designed to obtain the views of those persons and groups.
5 (1) The Minister may appoint five or more persons, all or any of whom may be members of the Council, as a technical advisory committee.
(2) The committee referred to in subsection (1) shall investigate, consider and advise the Council on such technical matters relating to energy, including the use, conservation, allocation or supply thereof, as may be referred to it by the Council.
6 (1) The Council shall establish a committee of the Council to be known as the Energy Allocation Committee.
(2) The Energy Allocation Committee shall
(a) investigate and review data respecting the supply of and demand for energy;
(b) develop plans for the allocation of supplies of energy; and
(c) investigate and review the plans or programs of other provinces or countries for the allocation of supplies of energy.
7 The Council shall, on the direction of the Minister, prepare studies and reports on matters relating to energy, and shall recommend to the Minister the making of such arrangements as it considers desirable for co-operation with any person, corporation, association, body or commission inside or outside the Province, or the government of any province or state outside the Province, or an agency thereof, in respect of matters relating to energy.
8 (1) The Council shall prepare and submit to the Minister on or before October 1st in each year a report of the operations of the Council carried on during the immediately preceding fiscal year.
(2) The report referred to in subsection (1) shall be tabled in the House of Assembly if the House is sitting and, if the House is not sitting, the report shall be filed with the Clerk of the House.
9 For the purpose of carrying out its duties and functions under this Act, the Council may, and on the direction of the Minister shall, inquire into or investigate any matter relating to energy and, for that purpose, hold such public hearings as it deems advisable or as the Minister may direct.
10 Each member of the Council has all the powers, privileges and immunities of a commissioner appointed pursuant to the Public Inquiries Act.
11 (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations
(a) defining any word or expression used but not defined in this Act;
(b) deemed necessary or advisable to carry out effectively the intent and purpose of this Act.
(2) The exercise by the Governor in Council of the authority contained in subsection (1) is regulations within the meaning of the Regulations Act.
12 This Act comes into force on such day as the Governor in Council orders and declares by proclamation.
This page and its contents published by the Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and © 2001 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created May 3, 2001. Send comments to legc.office@gov.ns.ca.
