WATERLOO, Ont. (Monday, May 6, 2013) -The Energy Council of Canada (ECC) today announced the creation of the Energy Council of Canada Energy Policy Research Fellowship in partnership with the University of Waterloo.

The Energy Council of Canada Energy Policy Research Fellowship will provide $500,000 over 10 years to graduate students engaged in energy policy research.  Valued at $25,000 for doctoral students and $15,000 for master's students, fellowships will be awarded annually to eligible full-time University of Waterloo students.  The energy policy research conducted will be consistent with energy policy topics defined annually by the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE) in conjunction with the ECC.

The announcement, made in the university's Environment 3 Building, was attended by representatives of the Energy Council of Canada and the university. 

"Canada is the envy of the world in terms of its energy resources," said Greg Schmidt, president of the Energy Council of Canada. "Sustainable development of those resources requires a strong, disciplined and stable regulatory environment and collaboration between industry, government and the public. Energy policy research promoting innovative thinking into the application of new technologies, the attraction of long-term energy investment and robust market conditions is needed to facilitate energy public policy objectives such as energy security, supply and accessibility. "

"The university is extremely thankful to the Energy Council of Canada for its generous funding of graduate student fellowships over the next decade," said Pearl Sullivan, dean of Waterloo Engineering. "We are very pleased that exceptional University of Waterloo graduate students will have the opportunity to conduct important energy policy research and have their findings used to help determine public policies on future Canadian energy issues."

The first fellowships are to be announced within the next few months.

About the Energy Council of Canada

The Energy Council of Canada is a vehicle for strategic thinking, collaboration and action by senior executives in the private and public sectors with a broad interest in national and global energy issues.   The Energy Council, a member of the World Energy Council, is made up of representatives from all facets of Canada's energy sector. The Energy Council seeks to forge a better understanding of energy issues and shape the energy sector for the benefit of all Canadians.

About the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE)

WISE is a recognized leader in promoting innovation through research into advanced sustainable energy systems. The multidisciplinary institute brings together more than 90 faculty members from across the University of Waterloo to undertake leading-edge research with utilities, non-profits, government agencies and private-sector partners.

About the University of Waterloo

In just half a century, the University of Waterloo, located at the heart of Canada's technology hub, has become one of Canada's leading comprehensive universities with 35,000 full- and part-time students in undergraduate and graduate programs. Waterloo, home to the world's largest post-secondary co-operative education program, embraces its connections to the world and encourages enterprising partnerships in learning, research and discovery. The university is committed to building a better future for Canada and the world by championing innovation and collaboration to create solutions relevant to the needs of today and tomorrow. For more information about Waterloo, please visit www.uwaterloo.ca.

For further information:

Media Contacts

Greg Schmidt
Energy Council of Canada
403-470-1411
greg.schmidt@energy.ca
www.energy.ca

Tracey Forrest
Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy
519-888-4567 x38759
tforrest@uwaterloo.ca
wise.uwaterloo.ca