As the largest producer of hydro-electricity in the world the gang had to start somewhere. They primarily started with us.
I was fortunate enough during my visit to HQ headquarters and the James Bay Complex in Radisson to speak with a number of historians on the company, the politics, and the choices.
Let me tell you the whole experience is a treat. Once you have finished the tour you understand the brilliance and the deliberate policy choices that created the giant we see today. As a Newfoundlander and Labradorian there is also a sadness and frustration in the manner we proceeded ourselves.
The political moves which made the company began when Quebec decided to nationalize dozens of private and municipal power companies and move toward a hydro-electric future with the Upper Churchill as a core investment. They made predictions on the price of oil based on solid research and a bit of market luck.
They believed one thing, they believed in themselves and a promising future based on solid energy planning. Quebec was going hydro while Ontario turned to nukes.
As you fly over James Lake and the community there is a sense you are home - it looks just like our province. The turf is the same the air is the same but something is very different.
to be continued....
2 comments:
"James Lake"?
In that you are correct it should read James Bay like the original paragraph..tired so I stopped typing.
Thank you for the correction.
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