First of all most of Sue's Blog readers know I am not a fan of Atlantica. This new corporate version of the 4 Atlantic Provinces - which best I can tell boosts Nova Scotia and New Brunswick first and foremost
Now the latest - seems Newfoundland Power has jumped into energy policy and the Lower Churchill by selling the concept of an Atlantic transmission line to Atlantica participants
Recently Atlantica (AIMS) held a conference where energy was discussed.
Here is what the Newfoundland Power representative said - according to Charles Cirtwill acting president of the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies.
Newfoundland Power took that opportunity to outline the significant benefits of the Lower Churchill development. Access to the energy generated by this clean and renewable hydro-electric project could enable provinces and states throughout Atlantica (and beyond) to shift to lower-cost, reliable energy while taking off-line older, and arguably less clean, coal-fired generation capacity.
Cirtwill then adds:
The proposed route for this energy would bring the power via undersea line from Labrador to Newfoundland and then from Newfoundland to New Brunswick. Yes, New Brunswick, not Nova Scotia – despite the fact that Nova Scotia is significantly closer to Newfoundland and that undersea power lines are very expensive. I was curious as to why, so I asked.
It turns out that, first off, "pancaking" of transmission rates (stacking one rate on top of another) would drive up the price of Lower Churchill electricity. Apparently, the longer undersea power line is cheaper than the pancaked rate of running through two provinces. Second, Nova Scotia has only a single connection to the continental grid, increasing the risk of service interruption due to breakdowns or maxing out the capacity of the existing infrastructure; whereas New Brunswick has just upgraded some of its linkages to the grid and is exploring how to do more.
These types of barriers are not only going to keep Lower Churchill electricity from travelling through Nova Scotia (and make it more expensive for consumers than it needs to be even if it goes through New Brunswick), they are also limiting the potential for further expansion of our own renewable energy projects. Proponents argue that the potential for Nova Scotia to become a centre of renewable energy is virtually limitless. They are quick to point out, for example, the innumerable potential locations for wind farms (locations that would not, by the way, require us to put one in Anne Murray’s, or anyone else’s, backyard).
The problem is, they have limited ability to ship the power off once they generate it; and even if they could send it along to market, pancaking and other inefficiencies guarantee them a higher cost product when it comes time to sell it to you and me.
Atlantica isn’t just about ports and roads and bridges. Saint John is fast becoming an energy hub. Nova Scotia, indeed all of Atlantica, needs to be seriously exploring the potential of becoming a sustainable energy gateway.
First of all Atlantica is not real - however when AIMS makes such declarations we should be looking behind doors or under beds because a bogeyman is close. Cirtwill speaks of the Atlantica concept in such real terms - you and I are left to wonder why our Premier has not told us about the deal yet. Or whether Williams even knows the discussions are taking place in Halifax on Newfoundland and Labrador resources and the benefits it can bring other provinces and states.
This is however the hangover of presenting the Lower Churchill as an export project designed to help everybody else where their economies or environmental problems or industry woes. This type of talk - which is essentially other provinces divvying up our power before we develop it - is because Danny Williams will not treat this power potential with the same level of detail and protection "accorded" to oil and gas.
Now if all this is not enough - the Atlantica ghost held another preach-in called "Reaching Atlantica: Business Without Borders" 2006 in Saint John - New Brunswick.
According to a story in the Telegraph-Journal - Tim Curry director of the Atlantica Centre for Energy had this to say during that get-together:
"It's an energy age and people are going to be increasingly mindful about the diversity and security of energy sources.."
"It doesn't matter what you're doing. If you're going to plunk money down to build a manufacturing plant or any other business that is critically dependent on a source of energy, then you're going to look long and hard at the energy regime in the area where you are looking..."
"If you don't have both secure and diverse energy supplies, you're not going to invest. Not anymore."
Well you can't say it better than that - if you want manufacturing - smelters - heavy industry - you use power (energy) to attract them. If we export the Lower Churchill then what?
By the way what information does Newfoundland Power have on all the transmission route potentials - that we the people do not have. Will Fortis be the one to build and operate the transmission grid for exports? Is that the private sector Williams alluded to recently?
Clearly the discussion of Lower Churchill Power is very public and open in Ontario - New Brunswick - and Nova Scotia - not here! Clearly the only reason it is being discussed is the anticipation that other Provinces and States might get their hands on this superior renewable power supply.
And again - our media asks nothing.
If one wanted to be a dictator - there's no better place than Newfoundland and Labrador to fulfill that personal need for "power".
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