New questions about Muskrat Falls cast further doubt on mega project: Jones   

Liberal Energy Critic Yvonne Jones is concerned about the likelihood of cost overruns of the Muskrat Falls hydroelectricity project and about the recent revelation that the company hired to assist the Public Utilities Board in its review of Muskrat Falls is facing greater scrutiny regarding its own capital plans.

A key concern for Jones is Manitoba Hydro International’s (MHI) own rising costs regarding its $20 billion dollar capital development plan for that province.

“If Manitoba Hydro is experiencing significant cost overruns and issues with respect to its own generating stations, then how can we be confident in their independent review of Muskrat Falls and that their findings will be accurate?” asked Jones.

“If ratepayers in Manitoba will be facing a spike in their power bills based on the cost overruns of their key capital projects, Keeyask and Conawapa, then what can Newfoundlanders and Labradorians come to expect if Muskrat Falls proceeds?”

Further concerning Muskrat Falls, an open letter to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians by Toronto energy consultant Tom Adams emphasized that Nalcor furnished the Public Utilities Board with ideal numbers that are not accurately reflective of the true production capacity of Muskrat Falls.

“If Nalcor is not providing realistic figures to the PUB, then we need to consider that consumers are going to be hit a lot harder then we are being led to believe by the Dunderdale Government and Nalcor,” stated Jones.

The list of opponents to Muskrat Falls and their reasons why continues to grow daily, noted Jones.

“There are more red flags everyday, more people are extremely concerned here, and it is all the more reason we cannot allow this project to be sanctioned,” said Jones.