N.B., N.S. pitch regional energy measures

The New Brunswick and Nova Scotia governments will announce a series of regional energy co-operation initiatives on Tuesday.

New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham and Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter will be joined by representatives of NB Power and Emera, the parent company of Nova Scotia Power, for the energy announcement that will be held in Fredericton.

New Brunswick Energy Minister Jack Keir confirmed the upcoming energy arrangement in an interview on Sunday.

He would only say the regional co-operation deal has to do with the electricity sector, deferring additional comment to the premiers on Tuesday.

Keir said the two governments and the utilities have been talking about the regional co-operation possibilities for "several months."

"We heard loud and clear that people wanted energy co-operation regionally that would benefit all of Atlantic Canada," Keir said.

"We listened and we agree. And we're going that way."

Keir said Tuesday's announcement will come with actions and clear benchmarks that must be achieved.

This is the second time the New Brunswick government hasattempted an inter-provincial energy pitch.

Last October, Graham announced a memorandum of understanding that would sell NB Power to Quebec for $4.8 billion.

The deal was immediately controversial and it began to unravel in January when a second, scaled backdeal was announced valued at $3.2 billion and only sold off pieces of NB Power.

The deal fell apart totally in March when Quebec said there were unanticipated costs and it backed out of the deal.

Not only was the deal immediately controversial with citizens in New Brunswick, but also politicians in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Dexter and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams wrote to Graham expressing their concern over the proposed deal.

The neighbouring provinces were concerned theagreement would block their energy ambitions and the possibility threaten the use of thethe transmission system into the United States.