MEDIA ADVISORY - Arctic Renewable Energy Summit aims to reduce dependence on diesel fuel

The governments of Canada and Nunavut together with Qulliq Energy Corporation and WWF-Canada are co-hosting the event in Iqaluit

IQALUIT, Sept. 12, 2016 /CNW/ - WWF-Canada, the governments of Canada and Nunavut, and the Qulliq Energy Corporation are co-hosting a summit to plan for renewable energy use in remote, Northern communities. Together we seek to reduce reliance on diesel in the Arctic, where the effects of climate change are especially pronounced.

Federal representatives will join Nunavut cabinet ministers as well as WWF-Canada experts, dozens of energy, legal, science, policy, engineering and environmental experts, and Inuit and community leaders to determine how to build a practical, effective and systematic approach to deploying renewable energy in communities across the Canadian Arctic.

The three-day event will feature success stories from Alaska and Russia as well as sessions with Indigenous and Northern Affairs.

WHAT: Arctic Renewable Energy Summit
WHEN: Sept. 15-17, 2016
WHERE: Frobisher Inn, 505 Astro Hill, Iqaluit, Nunavut
WHO: Media are welcome to all presentations and panel discussions with:

• Joe Savikataaq, Nunavut minister of environment and minister of energy
• Johnny Mike, Nunavut minister responsible for Qulliq Energy Corp.
• Federal Indigenous and Northern Affairs representatives
• WWF-Canada president and CEO David Miller
• Russian renewable energy expert Mariia Iakovleva on the Siberian experience
• Alaska Center for Energy and Power director Gwen Holdmann on the shift in mindset
• Alaska Renewable Energy Fund's Chris Rose on the power of available financing to create conditions for success
• Tugliq Energy Co., president and CEO Laurent Abbatiello on how the mining industry came to be an early adopter of renewable energy in the North.

Together, we will explore the priorities, challenges and opportunities for supporting reduced reliance on diesel for the good of communities, habitats, wildlife and the environment.

Renewable energy projects diminish the environmental, human health and cost impacts associated with the transportation, distribution, storage and use of diesel fuel. Such projects further contribute to building local capacity, skills and jobs, reducing energy and operating costs, and generating long-term revenue that supports community sustainability and self-sufficiency.

A full schedule and list of speakers, as well as biographies and contact information for all panelists, are available on request.

SOURCE WWF-Canada

Image with caption: "Government of Canada (CNW Group/WWF-Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160912_C3147_PHOTO_EN_770519.jpg

Image with caption: "Government of Nunavut (CNW Group/WWF-Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160912_C3147_PHOTO_EN_770521.jpg

Image with caption: "Quilliq Energy Corporation (CNW Group/WWF-Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160912_C3147_PHOTO_EN_770523.jpg

To confirm attendance, or for more information, please contact Sarah MacWhirter, WWF-Canada senior manager of strategic communications, at [email protected] or [phone]; For more information from the Ministry of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, please contact Media Relations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, [phone]; For more information from the Government of Nunavut, please contact Catriona Macleod, director of communications at [email protected] or [phone]; For more information from Qulliq Energy Corporation, please contact Sheila Papa, manager, corporate communications at [email protected] or [phone]