Environment, Energy and Forestry Minister Richard Brown says he is requesting a meeting with federal Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Minister Chuck Strahl to seek clarification on Ottawa’s support for a new transmission cable to the mainland.

“Provincially, we understand the cable project is vital to Prince Edward Island. We have made that case a number of times to the federal government. In fact, I flew to Ottawa and met with Minister Strahl and Minister Shea as recently as November 18, 2010, to discuss the importance of an additional cable to secure our energy future,” Mr. Brown said.

Over the past several years, the case for a third cable to the mainland has been made on numerous occasions.

On November 6, 2009, Prime Minister Stephen Harper wrote to Premier Robert Ghiz:

“I understand that officials from the Department of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities have received your proposal for under the Green Infrastructure Fund for the Confederation Bridge Power Cable, and are in the early stages of reviewing it. I encourage you to continue to work with (former) Minister Baird and his officials as their assessment proceeds.”

The Premier raised the matter through correspondence to the Prime Minister again on April 6, 2010, when he wrote:

“I am writing to request your government’s support for an infrastructure project that is extremely important to Prince Edward Island. In particular, I am seeking financial support through the Green Infrastructure Fund for the “PEI Confederation Bridge Power Cable Project.” A request for funding for the project has been filed by the Prince Edward Island Energy Corporation with Infrastructure Canada.”

In follow-up to the correspondence, face-to-face discussions between the Premier and Prime Minister on this subject also took place in May 2010.

The Green Infrastructure Fund is a billion dollar program initiated by the Federal Government to fund projects that will improve the quality of the environment and lead to more sustainable economies. Provincial application under the fund was made in March of 2009 – shortly after the program was announced.

“I have personally spoken on this project many times with federal representatives – including federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Gail Shea,” Mr. Brown said.

“I look forward to reinforcing the Island’s strong support and advocacy for the cable project when I meet with Minister Strahl.”