The so-called "energy plan" by our Premier is nothing more than a fluid plan which will be designed around what he wants to do with the Lower Churchill.
This document which has been expected by the people for close to a year - is now delayed again. Why?
It has always been my contention that you can't be out negotiating a deal on the Lower Churchill without first outlining what the Province's own needs are for the next 25-50 years.
Ed Martin who is questionably loyal to Ontario - keeps yammering about the preferred client for the energy. The "oil" kid (not usually Danny's cup of tea) is always promoting clean and renewable energy for Ontario and the 1.5 million customers in that Province.
Number one - the "oil" kid should be more concerned about the energy mix in Newfoundland and Labrador - and he should be more interested in bringing home the bacon - in terms of finding customers for the power in Labrador.
An energy plan is designed to outline what you anticipate for your own economy and power needs for the next few decades. In order to determine that - you have to take a position with respect to one energy resource or another. As an example - Hydro Quebec's main plan and continual updates reflect that Quebec wishes to use it's renewable hydropower to grow the industrial sector in that Province.
Anybody wanting to utilize power generated in Quebec must come with something on the table for Quebec. Industry knows the best deal for Quebec power is within the jurisdiction.
What does industry know about Newfoundland and Labrador? It knows that the Premier and the CEO of Hydro want to export the power. There has not been a publicly expressed interest in using the power in Labrador.
With all the natural resources we have - it's odd that even New Brunswick (with significantly less resources) has a future need for a block of power - while we don't have the same.
The only reason we do not have an energy plan yet - can only be that it must be designed to suit Danny's plan for the Lower Churchill. That is not consultation nor is it planning for the future. It is simply an accommodation for Danny Williams who wants the trophy for the Premier who succeeds in developing the project.
No vision - the biggest giveaway in our history!
3 comments:
Good God Sue I hope that is not the case. This project should not be done because Mr. Martin prefers Ontario to get the power, or Premier Danny Williams wants to have the distinction of this project being done on his watch. The Lower Churchill Project should only be done for Labrador's benefit. Ladrador can attract industry, no differently than can Ontario, Quebec or British Columbia. This Project MUST be done for the benefit of Labrador. If Premier Danny allows this project to be done for any other reason, any good that Premier Danny accomplishes under his reign will be negated by the fact that he didn't do the Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Power solely with Labrador in mind.
Are there any players present who are wanting to export the Lower Churchill Hydroelectricity power to Ontario, who were present in the failed privatization of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro a few years back?
I ask the question because the failed giveaway of NL Hydro is akin to wanting to export the Lower Churchill energy to Ontario for consumption in that province to sustain Ontario's industry. Do we have a brain in Newfoundland and Labrador working on our behalf with regards to the Lower Churchill Power? I'm sorry I had to ask such a crude question, but it appears to me the people who are planning that project need to be brought to their senses.
After all, the Lower Churchill resource is a resource that does not need a transmission line, the industry can be attracted to Labrador to utilize that power, and billions will be saved on not having to build a structure to conduct that power to markets in Ontario, or the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. Wake up boys and first take time to grow a brain to do this project properly. It must be done with building industry in Labrador first and foremost.
I hear that there is at least one player involved in wanting to do the Lower Churchill deal the way that it is presently proposed, that is to send THAT Platinum Hydroelectric Energy from the Lower Churchill to Ontario.(An Energy that is worth its weight in Platinum in today's energy starved world.)I am told the person was also involved in the privatization (or was it to be the give away?) of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. I do not know for sure, I am going by heresay. I would like somebody to confirm this to be true or not to be true.
Unfortunately I was not privy to any of the information of the proposed privatization of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, other than to have been told by my personal banker that all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians would be eligible to purchase a number of units of the bond issues or a fixed dollars worth, that each Newfoundlander and Labradorian would have been able to purchase once the deal went through. A small percentage of the bond issue would be available for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. And the dollar amount I cannot remember. The figure that comes to my mind is $30,000 per person or per family. I am not sure since the information is fuzzy in my mind. Twelve years or more have lapsed since then. I am quite pleased that deal didn't happen because instead of foreign investors owning that wonderful Crown Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, it is still in the hands of the people of this province. And that is Thanks to the writer of this blog site Sue Kelland Dyer. Thanks again Sue. I hope that the resulting energy out of the Lower Churchill will not move through any pipeline, but will remain in Labrador to build industry for Labrador and Newfoundland. It must not happen in any other way.
But I DO KNOW Coal will have to go as an energy source, and coal is not only the largest poluter in the world, it is also the largest energy provider in the world. What is going to fill Coal's space? I hope and pray Lower Churchill hydroelectric energy will play a part operating wholly from Labrador for the benefit of the people of Labrador and Newfoundland.
I also feel fairly confident that Premier Williams will not let that important energy source move Westward on his watch. It would be a coup for him if he is instrumental in seeing that project developed in Labrador. What a feather in his hat that will be for him and for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Do what is right Premier Williams.
Post a Comment