The Fraser Institute announced the creation of the Centre for Energy Policy Studies, which has been established to research energy commodities and electricity supply.

The research program will be split between electricity and other energy issues. The electricity portion of the program will focus on the Alberta and Ontario electricity markets in a North American and global context. Research in relation to other energy issues will mainly focus on energy commodity market issues, primarily on Western Canada in a continental and global context.

“The principal objective of the Centre is to study the structure of energy markets and recommend the appropriate roles of the private sector and governments in enhancing the cost, pricing, security, and use of energy resources,” said Mark Mullins, the Institute’s executive director. “We do not talk enough about public policy in this area and the new Centre is an opportunity to educate Canadians about the importance of this sector for our environment and the economy.”

A number of potential areas for future research have been identified, including: electricity market reform; the role of nuclear power in meeting market demand for electricity; energy security and the continental market for energy resources; the environmental impact of oil sands development; and mandated renewable energy supply requirements.

Three new staff will be joining the Institute to undertake the initial research program. All will be based in the Institute’s Calgary office.

Dr. Gerry Angevine joins as senior economist, energy studies. Angevine has been President of AECL, an energy economics consulting firm, since 1999 and was a managing consultant with Navigant Consulting Ltd. from 2001 to 2004. He was president, CEO, and a director of the Canadian Energy Research Institute from 1979 to 1999. Prior to that, he worked as an economist at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and the Bank of Canada.

Wilf Gobert will join the Institute as a senior fellow, energy studies. Gobert previously held positions as principal, director, vice-chairman, and managing director of research for Peters & Co. Ltd. from 1979 to 2006.

Dara Hrytzak-Lieffers will join as an energy policy analyst. Hrytzak-Lieffers previously worked with the Prairie Centre Policy Institute as Energy Project Manager.