Past Events

Experts discuss governance of North Americae's electricity sector

Tony Anthony, Senior Vice-President of the Edison Electricity Institute, addresses delegates at the Good Governance and the North American Electricity Sector conference held recently in Toronto. Angus Bruneau, former CEO of Fortis Inc. and co-chair of the event, is seated to his left.

Tony Anthony, Senior Vice-President of the Edison Electricity Institute, addresses delegates at the Good Governance and the North American Electricity Sector conference held recently in Toronto. Angus Bruneau, former CEO of Fortis Inc. and co-chair of the event, is seated to his left.

How two federal countries regulate their electricity sectors to meet growing demands for power was the topic of a recent workshop organized in Toronto by the Forum and Queene's University of Kingston, Ontario. The event, titled Good Governance and the North American Electricity Sector, was attended by 35 participants including industry representatives, government officials, academics and regulators from Canada and the United States.

Conference participants discussed:

  • the merits of various modes of electricity regulation
  • the role of intergovernmental relations in the creation and enforcement of standards for utilities
  • how to manage environmental requirements for electricity projects
  • how different jurisdictions harmonize public input on electricity policy, and
  • the various ways the federal governments of Canada and the U.S. can meet long-term challenges in the electricity sector.

The event was co-chaired by Dr. Angus Bruneau, former CEO of Fortis Inc., the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada, and Sheila Hollis, a prominent Washington D.C.-based energy lawyer.

Speakers included Tony Anthony, the Senior Vice-President of the Edison Electricity Institute; Hans Konow, the CEO of the Canadian Electricity Association; and Doug Little, the Vice President of British Columbia Transmission Corp. Other presenters included Mark Lynch, the CEO of  the New York Independent System Operator; and Paul Murphy, the CEO of  Ontarioe's Independent Electricity System Operator.

The event took place Sept.30 - Oct. 1, 2007 in Toronto.