Premier Tobin to make presentation at the New England Governors and
 Eastern Canadian Premiers Conference

Premier Brian Tobin will make a presentation to New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers of the new potential for development of the hydroelectric resources of the Lower Churchill, at the annual conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers in Newport, Rhode Island, June 2-4.

"The lead taken by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) of the United States has resulted in the removal of barriers to transmission which have been a long standing impediment to development of the Lower Churchill," says Tobin. "I hope to provide participants of the conference with a greater appreciation of the hydroelectric potential in Labrador. The development of the Lower Churchill has two very important advantages; it is environmentally friendly and it is economically competitive."

The Lower Churchill hydroelectric development consists of two sites; Gull Island Rapids and Muskrat Falls, with the potential to supply 17 billion kilowatt hours of electrical energy annually. Tobin adds: "The National Energy Board of Canada has ranked the Gull Island site as the lowest cost undeveloped hydro site in North America.

The location, downstream from the existing Upper Churchill dam, provides cost and environmental advantages because it uses the same water storage. As a result, there will be no vast flooding of Labrador territory associated with this project.

"One of the key benefits of developing the Lower Churchill will be the reduction of the greenhouse gas emissions in North America by up to 14 million tonnes per year," says Tobin.

Dr. Rex Gibbons, former Minister of Mines and Energy, made a similar presentation to FERC commissioners while in Washington earlier this year.

Contact: Heidi Bonnell, Communications Director, Premier's Office, (709) 729-3564.