Ladies and gentlemen, I think we shall begin. We have a couple of late arrivals expected, but we will commence the 45th meeting of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources.
We're pleased today to welcome our witnesses in our study of the greening of electricity consumption in Canada, electricity distribution and integrated networks. From the Northeast Power Coordinating Council, we have Philip A. Fedora, who is the assistant vice-president, reliability services.
I should say for the record that the Northeast Power Coordinating Council is a not-for-profit New York corporation acting as the international regional reliability organization for northeastern North America. Its purpose is to promote the reliable and efficient operation of international interconnected bulk power systems in northeastern North America. I'm sure we'll get into it in your testimony, Mr. Fedora, but the total population served is about 56 million people, covering approximately a million square miles, so that will be fascinating to hear about. We welcome you from New York City.
We also have Ed Martin, president and chief executive officer of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. As you are aware, we are visiting your facility at Churchill Falls, and looking forward to that in the coming week, I believe—next Monday.
Without further ado, our standard procedure is to have you make a brief presentation—I'm sure you've been so instructed by the clerk—to give us a bit of background on your organization and responsibilities, and then we will move to questioning by the committee. I suggest maybe a 10-minute opening each. We'll hear both of you, and then go to questions.
Mr. Fedora, would you like to begin?