The Yukon government is asking members of the public for their thoughts on its proposed energy strategy and climate change action plan that were released Monday.

A draft plan sets out 33 specific goals based on the government's 2006 climate change strategy, including one goal to make internal government operations carbon neutral by 2022.

"There are huge challenges here as we go forward, but we're setting a target for government itself," Premier Dennis Fentie, who is also environment minister, told reporters on Monday.

A lot will have to be done to go carbon neutral, Fentie said, including updating government vehicles and buildings.

The climate change plan also strives to establish targets, within two years, for reducing the Yukon's greenhouse gas emissions. As well, it sets the goal of making the territory a northern centre for climate change research.

The proposed energy strategy is a 10-year plan that outlines the development and management of the Yukon's energy sector, with a main focus on creating more reliable hydroelectricity energy.

"The priority is to get our house in order as far as hydro power is concerned," Energy, Mines and Resources Miniser Archie Lang said.

Anyone interested in submitting feedback has until June 30 to comment on the draft energy strategy and July 31 to comment on the climate change action plan.

Both Lang and Fentie say they hope to have the public consultation process wraps up by the fall. Both documents are available on the government website.

LIKE IT?  LET OTHERS KNOW