September 18, 2014 – In conjunction with U.S. Secretary of Energy’s Dr. Ernest Moniz’s visit to Ottawa this week, the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) says it is offering recommendations on how to further enhance the benefits presented by the integration of Canadian and U.S. electric power systems.

“Many of the challenges to ensuring safe and reliable electricity supply and delivery for future generations are unprecedented,” said CEA president and CEO Jim Burpee. “Annual requirements for new investment in infrastructure are at all-time highs, while customer expectations for a cleaner and more innovative system continue to grow.”

Moniz’s trip will feature a dialogue with senior government officials and energy stakeholders from Canada and the States on the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DoE) Quadrennial Energy Review (QER), says CEA.

As part of the dialogue, CEA will highlight how the cross-border relationship on electricity can be a platform for addressing many of the “pressing challenges” to North America’s energy future, including the need for renewing electricity infrastructure across the continent, and the imperative to transition to a lower-carbon economy.

“Fortunately, the long-standing partnership between Canada and the United States on electricity serves as a means to mitigate these challenges and develop solutions collaboratively, rather than in isolation,” continued Burpee.

The Canadian and U.S. transmission networks are physically interconnected at over 30 points, says CEA, adding that between 6% and 10% of Canada’s generation is exported to the States each year.

CEA explored these themes in formal comments on the QER filed today with DoE. The submission examined how strengthened bilateral integration can help advance the core goals underlying the QER.

Below, download CEA’s comments on the DoE’s QER.