Possible changes to NB Power deal will hopefully identify new opportunities for Lower Churchill

Anticipated changes to the deal between NB Power and Hydro Quebec, as well as interest being expressed by Fort Reliance, a subsidiary of Irving Oil Limited, to possibly build new transmission capacity in New Brunswick, will hopefully breathe new life into the Lower Churchill project and allow additional transmission opportunities to be identified, says Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones.

“It appears that the changing deals in New Brunswick could provide new opportunities to identify and secure transmission for Lower Churchill power through that province,” said Ms. Jones. “With both NB Power and the Irving family expressing interest in maintaining or constructing transmission capacity, it is important for our province to start the process of evaluating all available options for transmitting our power through the other Atlantic Provinces.”

Jones pointed out that in 2008 the province failed to participate in a request for proposals to secure transmission capacity through New Brunswick. Hydro Quebec eventually bought up that excess transmission capacity. Jones is encouraging government and Nalcor to look at these potential new opportunities to determine what capacity would be available in the future to satisfy Lower Churchill requirements and what investments would be needed to ensure our power can be transmitted to the United States without interference from other parties in the future.

“We have heard much about regional co-operation with other Atlantic Provinces over the past few months and how this could help development of the Lower Churchill. Changing circumstances in New Brunswick could help facilitate this co-operation and I would encourage the Premier to pursue these options when discussing our transmission requirements.

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