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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A new energy plan is scheduled for release in 2013 and the GNWT is looking for grassroots input.

The territorial energy strategy will be an "umbrella" plan to encompass all other existing energy plans.

One of the ways the government is trying to get its finger on the pulse of the NWT's energy desires is through the 2012 Northwest Territories Energy Charette in Yellowknife from Nov. 20 to 23.

"(A charette is) a collaborative policy development approach that's aimed at establishing policy from the ground up," said Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister David Ramsay.

"It's different from a regular conference in that it aims to bring together as wide a variety of viewpoints, to have an intense conversation about energy opportunities and challenges facing the territory."

Representatives from NWT communities, aboriginal groups, environmental organizations, industry, academia and various levels of government are among those expected to attend, according to Ramsay.

"A similar process was followed in the Yukon and we'll put the information together and we anticipate the release of the 2013 Energy Plan in March so it's a big step forward for us and it's something we're excited to get off the ground," Ramsay said.

Danny Gaudet, Deline's chief negotiator, will be a participant. He said he's impressed by the GNWT's new approach to the energy plan.

"I'm glad to see the government is actually going out to reach the people, to ask what they think the projects should be," he said. "I'm hoping a lot of new ideas and initiatives are shared at this thing so that we can start moving forward."

Gaudet said he's been exploring energy options for Deline for a long time and would like to see some serious consideration given to a turbine on the Bear River.

He also said he'd like to see emphasis on the Northwest Territories Power Corporation's level of discussion and collaboration with communities around the NWT.

The round-table discussions in Yellowknife are an invitation-only event. However, the department is encouraging the general public to share their input during public information sessions scheduled for Tuesday at 4 p.m. and Thursday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Members of the public are also encouraged to submit their responses to the discussion paper questions by Dec. 15 in order to be considered in the final development of the 2013 Energy Plan.

"This is a plan that is going to reach across the territory and we need to hear from residents across the territory, to hear what issues they're encountering in their communities," Ramsay said.

"We want people to know their input is going to have some relevance. We're going to take it into consideration and that's why we're calling on the public if they're going to have comments or issues, to get those to us."

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