HOUSTON, April 22, 2015 /CNW/ – Minister Rickford and Secretary Moniz re-affirmed their commitment to our continental approach on energy and the environment based on bilateral and trilateral agreements signed in Ottawa (September 2014) and Washington (December 2014).
The Minister and Secretary noted important milestones achieved over the past several months, including the bilateral agreement they signed in January 2014 to improve collaboration in civilian nuclear energy research and development.
They also discussed their ongoing cooperation in support of Ukraine’s energy security.
Minister Rickford expressed Canada’s strong interest in aligning environmental standards in new areas, including oil and gas, that build on our existing progress while protecting jobs and economic growth on both sides of our shared border.
Minister Rickford articulated Canada’s enthusiasm for participating in bilateral and trilateral mechanisms that would enhance cooperation on continental energy security, economic growth and the environment.
Minister Rickford raised Canada’s position that the proposed Keystone XL pipeline should be approved based on the US State Department Environmental Assessment.
This project will replace same or higher-emitting crude from sources like Venezuela with a secure, reliable supply from Canada, North Dakota and Montana.
Minister Rickford and Secretary Moniz agreed to meet again at the G7 Energy Ministerial in Hamburg, Germany, to further enhance bilateral and trilateral energy priorities.
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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada
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