Paul Dicks
Minister of Mines and Energy
Speaking Notes
Grand Falls-Windsor Power Purchase Announcement
October 18, 2000
Introduction
Good Morning,
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At this time,
I would like to introduce our head table. At my far left is the Honourable
Anna Thistle, President of Treasury Board and MHA for Grand Falls-Buchans;
To my left is the Honourable Kevin Aylward, Minister of Forest Resources
and Agrifoods and MHA for St. George�s-Stephenville East. To my far
right, Mr. William Wells, President and CEO of Newfoundland and Labrador
Hydro. To my immediate right is Gordon Oldford, General Manager of Abitibi�s
Grand Falls-Windsor operations.
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I would
like at this time to acknowledge some other people who are attending
this news conference today. We are happy to have with us Mr. Craig
Boone, Divisional Comptroller, Grand Falls-Windsor Division of Abitibi;
Mr. Wilmore Eddy, Power Superintendent; Mr. Roger Pike, Manager of
Public Relations and Mr. William Furey, Woods Manager.
The Announcement
-
The
development of these initiatives, as well as the recently announced
Granite Canal project, will greatly assist Newfoundland and Labrador
Hydro in meeting its obligation to provide power for the island
electricity grid.
-
Through
legislation introduced in the House of Assembly in 1999, government
restored its ability to have Hydro carry out projects such as this that
are in the best interest of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. As a
result, government has exempted this project from the Electrical Power
Control Act (EPCA) and the Public Utilities Board Oversight.
-
There
are numerous alternative sources of energy which have been considered to
meet Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro�s future requirements. It is a
matter of selecting the appropriate mix of projects to provide that
power in a way that minimizes costs and is based on technology,
environmental concerns and available options.
Thank
you.
Conclusion
2000 10 18
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