In Massachusetts, New England Governors and Eastern
Canadian Premiers Commit to Continued Cross-Border Collaboration
Governors and Premiers pass resolutions to reconvene
standing committees on energy and the environment
BOSTON — The New
England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG-ECP) met to discuss
coordinated efforts on shared economic, energy and environmental priorities at
the 45th annual NEG-ECP Conference held on September 9 and 10 in Boston,
Massachusetts. Discussions built on last year’s conference in Québec City, the
first in-person meeting of the NEG-ECP since 2018.
波士頓市長吳弭致詞。 |
“Last year’s conference was an important milestone in the
long-standing collaboration between our regions, marking the 50th anniversary
of these cross-border meetings. We were proud to welcome our colleagues to
Massachusetts to spark the beginning of our next 50 years of cooperative work
together,” said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. “We’re excited to
continue our work together to achieve greater energy independence and
affordability, create new union jobs and build up the climate workforce, and
take proactive steps to address climate change."
"As the easternmost province in Canada, advantageously
located close to the European market as well as the United States, Newfoundland
and Labrador has long recognized the value of working collaboratively towards
shared goals," said Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dr. Andrew Furey.
"Our discussions at this year's NEG-ECP further strengthen our commitment
to the clean energy transition and our trade relationship. I look forward to
hosting the conference next year.”
Governor Healey co-chaired the 45th NEG-ECP meeting with
Premier Andrew Furey of Newfoundland and Labrador. Other Governors and Premiers
and their representatives participating in the meeting were: Governor Ned
Lamont of Connecticut; Governor Janet Mills of Maine; Governor Daniel McKee of
Rhode Island; Governor Phil Scott of Vermont; Premier Dennis King of Prince
Edward Island; Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie Martine
Biron of Québec; Associate Deputy Minister of the Office of Priorities and
Planning Dave MacGregor of Nova Scotia; and Executive Director of Department of
Intergovernmental Affairs Serge Breau of New Brunswick.
On Monday, the Governors and Premiers visited the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where they experienced the
Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Bridge Simulator and toured the cutting-edge facility
training the workforce for maritime fields, including the offshore wind
industry. On Tuesday, the group spent the day at the Boston University Center for Data and Computing Science for
a series of roundtables on offshore wind supply chain and addressing
hard-to-decarbonize sectors. The Center is the school’s most sustainable and
energy-efficient building to date and the largest building in Boston not
reliant on fossil fuels, using closed-loop geothermal wells that provide
heating and cooling, as well as electric appliances for cooking.
Quotes from Conference Participants:
Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut:
“The northeast faces many challenges when it comes to energy
affordability and reliability, and collaborating on these policies among our
states and provinces is a way that we can work to diversify energy supplies,
strengthen the clean energy supply chain, and grow the clean energy workforce.
I appreciate Governor Healey for organizing this meeting and thank the New
England governors and eastern Canadian premiers for their collaboration.”
Governor Janet Mills, Maine:
“Maine has a long and productive history of working closely
with our neighboring Canadian provinces and fellow New England states on a
variety of shared issues, from our economies to our environment. I am proud to
continue that longstanding tradition of cross-border collaboration through this
year’s NEG-ECP Conference. Through these regional partnerships, we will advance
our shared vision of harnessing clean, renewable energy to enhance our energy
independence, improve affordability, and create strong, good-paying jobs in
rewarding careers – all of which will have the tremendous benefit of
strengthening our economy and battling the climate crisis.”
Governor Phil Scott, Vermont:
“A strong relationship across our region is essential to the
strength of our states and provinces – from the economy and energy to workforce
and infrastructure – and these meetings are important to continuing to build on
these connections. By sharing ideas and collaborating on shared priorities, we
each bring back new opportunities and approaches to improving the lives of our
residents, and our entire region.”
Governor Dan McKee, Rhode Island:
“Rhode Island is dedicated to collaborating with neighboring
states and provinces to drive the clean energy transition forward, which is
essential for our economic growth and environmental stewardship. By focusing on
regional offshore wind initiatives and innovative strategies for
hard-to-decarbonize sectors, we are not only enhancing energy independence but
also creating valuable, good-paying job opportunities. A cleaner, greener
tomorrow starts today, and I'm proud to partner with fellow New England governors
and Canadian leaders to reaffirm our commitment to achieving that
future."
Premier Dennis King, Prince Edward Island:
"The connection between the New England states and
Eastern Canada is one build on shared history, economic collaboration, cultural
bonds, and working together as a region in times of need. As a region, we
will continue to strengthen this partnership, creating opportunities that
benefit residents on both sides of the border.”
Martine Biron, Minister of International Relations and La
Francophonie and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Quebec:
[English] “By participating in this important
conference, Québec is strengthening its collaboration in New England and is
delighted to be a partner in the transition to a green economy in North
America. Collaboration between the region’s governments in developing renewable
energies, decarbonizing the economy and combatting climate change is essential
to achieving our common goals. The entire region can count on Québec and its
diplomatic network as a reliable partner in making this necessary transition a
success.”
[French] « En participant à cette importante
conférence, le Québec renforce sa collaboration en Nouvelle-Angleterre et se
réjouit d’être un partenaire de la transition vers l’économie verte en Amérique
du Nord. La collaboration entre les gouvernements de la région en matière de
développement des énergies renouvelables, de décarbonation de l'économie et de
lutte contre les changements climatiques est essentielle pour atteindre nos
objectifs communs. Toute la région peut compter sur le Québec et son réseau
diplomatique comme partenaire fiable vers la réussite de cette nécessaire
transition. »
Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, President,
Massachusetts Maritime Academy: "We are honored to host the
New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers as they continue their
vital cross-border collaboration on energy and environmental initiatives. This
gathering highlights the importance of regional cooperation, and it’s an
incredible opportunity to showcase the Academy’s leadership in offshore wind,
clean energy, and workforce development. Our commitment to these areas aligns
perfectly with the resolutions passed today, and we are proud to support such
forward-thinking action."
Chrissy Lynch, President, Massachusetts AFL-CIO:
"Massachusetts has the strongest labor force ready to
tackle the clean energy transition head-on. Cross-border partnerships
are key to ensuring workers are at the center of driving this industry -
trained, protected, and empowered. We're not just meeting the challenge but
setting the standard and ensuring our workers lead the way in building a sustainable
future."
Frank Callahan, President, Massachusetts Building Trades
Unions:
"Labor is at the heart of the clean energy transition,
and our skilled tradespeople are essential in building the infrastructure
needed to reach Massachusetts' goals. Union construction careers are pivotal in
the effort, offering high-quality, well-trained professionals who are dedicated
to excellence. Cross-border partnerships like this one are crucial, as they
unite our expertise and resources, driving innovation and ensuring the climate
goals are met together.”
About the ECP-NEG Conference
Since 1973, the six New England states and the five Eastern
Canadian provinces have worked cooperatively to address their shared interests
across the border. Through the annual conferences of governors and premiers and
discussions of joint committees, the NEG-ECP encourages cooperation by
developing networks and relationships, taking collective action, engaging in
regional projects, undertaking research, and increasing public awareness of
shared interests.
The 11-member jurisdictions of NEG-ECP are Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Québec.
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