U.S.-LED INTERNATIONAL ENERGY COUNCIL OFFICIALLY WELCOMES SASKATCHEWAN AS NEWEST MEMBER

Saskatchewan is now formally a part of the deliberations of The Energy Council, an American organization focused on energy and environment-related policy concerns.

Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd officially accepts Saskatchewan's international affiliate membership in the organization Friday morning in a ceremony at the Council's 2007 Global Energy and Environmental Issues Conference December 13-16 in Lake Louise, Alberta.

"Saskatchewan is a North American energy powerhouse seeking continued investment in energy infrastructure, production and technology improvements," Boyd said. "We are the leading uranium supplier to the world, and are actively pursuing new methods to stimulate the recovery of our 18.5 billion barrel heavy oil resource. Saskatchewan has an exciting future ahead of it as a major energy producer, and The Energy Council will be a part of this future."

Boyd said Energy Council membership reinforces Saskatchewan's status as a secure and reliable energy supplier to the U.S. The Minister said he intends to explore further U.S. investment and collaboration on energy research and development initiatives through discussions at the meeting with the organization's legislators and with other U.S. Congressional legislators.

The Energy Council is an organization of U.S. state legislators appointed from 10 U.S. states that produce oil and gas. It was founded in 1975 and has six international legislators as non-voting associate member jurisdictions, including Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Venezuela.

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For more information, contact:

Bob Ellis
Energy and Resources
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1691
Email: rellis@ir.gov.sk.ca