Liberal Opposition Leader Dwight Ball today stated that a report released by Manitoba Hydro International (MHI) is further evidence that a full Public Utilities Board (PUB) review is needed.

“The scope of the PUB report, written by government, is very limited and does not consider all alternatives to the Muskrat Falls project, nor does it allow for full public hearings,” said Ball. “The PUB has already questioned government’s tight timeline and now given the numerous concerns expressed by MHI, I urge the Premier to allow the PUB the time it requires to do a full review.”

Ball noted that the MHI report was based on data from 2010 and that no review will be completed on any new data generated by Nalcor prior to their sanctioning decision.  

“The Minister of Natural Resources has indicated that any new data available on the project will not be subject to an independent review,” said Ball. ”It is completely negligent of the government to not allow the PUB to analyze all data and potential alternatives to this costly project.

 Ball concluded that the only truly independent analysis of the project thus far has been the Joint Environmental Review Panel report, which published their negative report last summer.

 “Given all the questions surrounding the project the PUB, on behalf of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, must be given the time it needs to perform a full analysis, complete with public hearings and a detailed examination of all alternatives.”