What is this? Read below!

If we are an "energy warehouse" (Danny Williams and Tories) what type will we be? Will we be the type that develops renewable, reliable, clean, and efficient hydro to be used by industry in Newfoundland and Labrador or will we be "low hanging fruit" (Ed Martin) developed to export to other provinces and states to develop their industry?

We have 48 politicians who do not believe we can attract industry here - particularly Labrador. We have 48 politicians that are demonstrating incompetence at best and complete disregard at worst. We have 48 politicians that are spinning us - the people - and the media by saying we are a "cool" province an "up and coming" province a "have" province yet they are unable to use "the best remaining hydro potential in the country" (Danny Williams and the National Energy Board) to attract energy intensive industry such as an aluminum smelter.

If they can not attract industry using cost-effective hydro they are certainly unable to attract it any other way. Therefore they are telling you there is no future in Newfoundland and Labrador past the life of the oil wells.

 Alcoa is but one aluminum company operating in 200 locations in 32 countries in the world. Our politicians have been spinning the message that we can not attract such a company here. Too expensive - we are too north - we are not in an industrial province - anything but tell you the realty.

Okay - there is a smelter of theirs in Iceland:

Designed to comply with Iceland's stringent environmental standards, Fjardaal uses advanced technologies and processes to set new standards for sustainable aluminium production in a clean-air, clean-water environment. Power is 100% renewable hydro. It also generates more than 450 permanent Alcoa jobs, plus 300 more indirect jobs, in Iceland. And its revenues, payroll, and taxes provide a positive contribution to economic development in both East Iceland and the country as a whole.

Norway:

Alcoa Lista - Norway is a primary Aluminium smelter with a production capacity of 96,000 tpy. We operate two product lines: Extrusion billets and foundry alloys.In total 319 people are working in 5-shift operation 7 days per week, all year long.

Quebec

The photo at the head of this blog is that of  Baie Comeau smelter:



In March 2008, a new, $1.2 billion upgrade project was announced. This project will involve the replacement of the Söderberg technology by new prebake cells, and the adoption of a more advanced technology for the existing 480 prebake cells. These upgrades will bring the smelter’s production from 437,000 metric tons to 548,000 metric tons.

The smelter is Baie-Comeau’s biggest employer and its employees are highly involved in the community.

There are 12 Alcoa locations in Ontario and Quebec and in Quebec it is the wonderful hydro power that is the attraction. I guess Labrador power is fuelling that industry as well.


And now there is discussion to put a smelter in Greenland based on renewable hydro power.



No aluminum smelter for Labrador is not conceivable yet our 48 politicians remain committed to exporting that potential so perhaps Nova Scotia might attract industry. This is not acceptable!


Say no to the giveaway of our resources. No to the Emera deal which makes wealth for everybody but us.