Electricity Today T&D Magazine

How the U.S. and Canada maximize their working relationship

BY PATRICK BROWN, Canadian Electricity Association (CEA)

North America is shifting towards a new energy paradigm. Where it was once viewed through the prism of scarcity, some are now beginning to speak of energy in the language of abundance. The grounds for optimism are understandable. For instance, technological breakthroughs on the production side are unlocking previously inaccessible deposits of oil and natural gas, while advances in conservation and efficiency practices are affording customers greater control over their energy use.

Still, the achievement of North American independence from volatile global energy markets is by no means a foregone conclusion. Economic recovery efforts remain fragile. The supply and delivery infrastructure for our resources is in urgent need of upgrade while an evolving landscape of risks poses significant threats to its security. And perhaps most importantly, transformative events in the market—such as the North American boom in natural gas production—have overtaken many of the policy structures in place across Canada and the United States that are essential in managing and integrating the North American power grid.

Too much of the framework shaping governments’ approach on energy issues is therefore not optimally-suited to addressing...