December 19, 1996
(Mines and Energy)

The following statement was issued today by Dr. Rex Gibbons, Minister of Mines and Energy. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I am pleased to inform the House today that Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro has completed the connection of the communities of Westport and Purbeck's Cove to the main island electrical transmission system. These communities had been supplied by diesel-generated electricity since the 1960s. The $1,225,000 project involved the construction of 40 km of distribution lines and associated equipment.

The connection will generally result in electrical rates decreasing by seven per cent for residential and 25 per cent for business customers. Meter readings taken after November 30, 1996 will be billed at the island interconnected electrical rates even though there may be a portion of the month when customers were still being supplied by diesel- generation. Meetings were held with community leaders on November 18, 1996 to advise them of the changes brought about by this connection.