In newspapers across the province today, the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities have issued a Notice of Application and Public Hearing for Hydro’s 2005 capital budget application. Interested individuals who wish to make presentations in person will have to travel to St. John’s for the hearing.

"Last year, the PUB held hearings in St. John’s and other areas around the province," said Mr. Joyce. "This provided people from different regions to present their concerns and opinions. I have spoken with several people who participated in the Corner Brook hearings who thought it was a very positive experience and provided a valuable opportunity to have their viewpoints directly heard by the commissioners.

"With the province’s three major paper mills operating in central and western Newfoundland, it is imperative to hear the concerns that may be raised by the residents in these areas. The paper mills have already raised concerns about the impact of increases to their hydro rates. What impact will the budget of Hydro have on these rates? Minister Tom Marshall, MHA for Humber East and minister responsible for the PUB, and Danny Williams, MHA for Humber West, should ask the PUB to hold hearings in other areas of the province, including their districts in Corner Brook. I am certain there would be some interesting and informative viewpoints from people outside the St. John’s area.

"Government has expanded the PUB authority in the past several months to include such things as gas price regulation. It is ironic that as its authority grows, it is excluding consultation in rural areas of our province. This government talks about expanding growth in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, yet one of the major boards in the province is only holding their hearings in the St. John’s area. This is not acceptable and must be changed.

"Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is a utility that is owned by all people in the province. As a result, equal access and opportunity should be provided to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. I encourage government and the PUB to once again consider providing a similar opportunity to residents in all regions of the province. This would make the process more inclusive and transparent."