The first piece of information I will be looking at is - the projection of our energy needs for the next 25-50 years.
This little tidbit tells us what this government thinks will be the future for the thousands of children and teens in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Recently Ontario started throwing around projections that Ontario would experience a 24% increase in energy demand over the next 20 years - and require a 30% increase in power capacity.
This despite the fact that Ontario will aggressively pursue energy efficiencies to reduce power needs for every customer.
An article in the Financial Post recently spoke to the "nuclear" solution for Ontario should other sources not be achieved. It said in part:
But the major hole in Ontario's energy market, created mostly by the arbitrary shut-down of carbon-emitting coal plants, will be filled with $26.5-billion in new spending on nuclear power.
Nothing wrong with nuclear power plants in principle, if only they worked as promised, could be built cost-effectively, were competitive with other sources of power, did not require billions in subsidies, didn't also insist on an assortment of regulatory and legal backstops, and they could figure out what to do with nuclear waste. Otherwise, nuclear is good.
The article further states that Ottawa is getting caught up in the American frenzy of nuclear and says in part:
The U.S. nuclear energy push that Ottawa seems set to join already comes front-loaded with a mess of subsidies. Packed into the 2005 U.S. Energy Act, the aid includes extending insurance indemnity provisions that get nuclear plans off the hook in case of an environmental disaster. Then there's $2-billion in "cost overrun support" for each of the first six nuclear plants to be built. Then there's a production tax credit of 1.8¢ per kilowatt hour for the first eight years the six new plants operate. Then there's $1.25-billion to build a nuclear electricity and hydrogen facility.
Why so much subsidy? Nuclear power is uneconomical...
You see there is a real cry for our power in Ontario - Maritime Provinces and States because it is cost competitive - considered green - renewable - and reliable.
I wonder of our energy plan will be projecting 25% growth in demand and 30% in generation - for if not - our future will continue to be exported to Ontario versus our potential to attract those industries currently in central Canada to Labrador.
Don't let recall fool you - if the power leaves Labrador it is not coming back - we have to get the industry before it settles in Nova Scotia - Ontario - or the New England States.
If the power must leave Labrador to be consumed - let the river flow...
10 comments:
One of the points you've missed is that Ontario isn't talking about attracting new industry to Ontario as the only driver of energy demand.
Rather, it is looking at a forecast rise in consumption based on growth in existing populations and industries as well as whatever else comes along. That is a growth that comes in addition to whatever it can achieve through conservation.
Both these points are fairly well made on willyoujoinus.com and through the Energyville online game that you've indicated you are familiar with.
The situation you describe is one in which the export of hydro power would actually produce considerable, sustainable long-term demand. Simple economics of supply and demand drive the equation: they have the demand; we have the supply.
That approach gets the Lower Churchill built and has the potential to generate considerable long-term revenue for the provincial treasury.
As any demand increase sin this province, there is no reason why a smart development deal wouldn't include the sort of approach taken in 1990-91. That is, the province obtains a block of power which is disposes of as it sees fit. That block may grow over time (as in the proposed 90-91 deal).
There is no reason to create a situation in which all is exported or all is not exported, especially when not exporting power makes it difficult to develop the project in the first place.
Since Labrador has the supply of clean hydro energy, why shouldn't the province attempt to create the demand for that energy to be utilized in Labrador by advertising? First things first! The province first has to inform industry that the energy is there solely for takers who want to utilize it by setting up industry in Labrador.
Ed - Why does the province have to sell it to Ontario to maintain or create more industry?
It is idiotic to think that industry will not come to Labrador. The only reason industry is not there is because the pressure has never been exerted to bring industry to Labrador. Any resource that came up for development in Newfoundland and Labrador was always bargained away before it got to the stage of advertising that it was there for use in the province; and of course the easy route was always taken; that being the exporting of the resource out of the province without any thought process being activated as to what was best for Labrador or Newfoundland whichever was the place of adjacany to the resource.
"It is idiotic to think that industry will not come to Labrador."
It is idiotic. That's why no one suggests it, except you in constructing the straw man for you to oppose. Arguments are easy to win when you create illusions to defeat.
The rest of your paragraph simply isn't factually correct.
"It is idiotic. That's why no one suggests it,"
Good thing the powers that be didn't say that back in the day when the fishing industry was being built in Nfld 2 or 3 hundred years ago. Or when the paper mill was being set up in central Nfld, or the other mills for that matter....
What, one would wonder, is the difference?
Not that I am in favour of too much huge and dirty industry but even Labradorians need and deserve to work somewhere besides Alberta and Ontario.
Lloyd
Hi Sue,
I'll be looking to see if there are plans to substantially improve the provincial power grid.
If recent reports are correct then our provincial grid can't handle much more power and if there are no plans for a major upgrade it will be a clear signal that none of the lower churchill power will be used here or that the government will proceed with the maritime export route.
I bet you can guess what that would mean.
Ed- I have two questions for you. You do not have to answer them, but if you do I would like a straight forward answer.
1. Would you prefer to have the Lower Churchill Hydro energy developed to be utilized to create industry in Labrador?
2. Would you prefer to see the Lower Churchill Hydro-energy shipped off to Ontario to maintain industry there?
And worse Patriot - imagine upgrading the grid so that the government of Italy can make money on our wind?
We will then be subsidizing these private developments - no thanks to that.
Labrador could certainly accommodate the amount of industry using 2800 MW's of power - 4 or 5 good projects would do that.
As long as the resource is used to create jobs and economic growth in the province Sue,i really dont care.
I would have sooner moved to wabush then southern Ontario.And,from what i hear from ex-pats all thru Ontario,so would they.
I hope Premier Williams has many more years to lead the province. With comments made by some Liberals on this blog, Mercy Me if they get back in power. The resources again will start flowing to the rest of Canada no differently than they were directed in the past.
By the way there were two questions asked on this site of one Liberal and they are not answered yet, I wonder why?
I would say that it is for much the same reason why a certain person doesn't call Randy Simms' VOCM Open Line show anymore? I believe there is still a question outstanding to be asked by Randy to a certain person. I wonder why that person is not calling Randy's show anymore? Also why does the same poster not call Bill Rowe's Back Talk Show? I suspect Bill will ask the person why are you trying to keep your province down further than it has been?
Such people who would like to see Newfoundland and Labrador's resources exported to the Mainland have a "Me Syndrome" Agenda.
If Labrador's or Newfoundland's resources had been retained in this province to provide industry here both Labrador and Newfoundland would be very rich entities by now. But when some of the other provinces are reaping the benefit from the resources and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador has to take the responsibility for the infrastructure of the whole province, how can we ever obtain enough revenue to do the things that need to be done. It is impossible for the province to get ahead. Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Manitoba are some of the provinces which have assiisted in building their economies and thus their infrastructure from the resources of this province. And, of course, Ottawa has benefited greatly as well.
Let us keep the Liberals out of power forever! What the hell are they thinking about other than exporting the resources of Newfoundland and Labrador to Canada?
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