The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources, announced today that she will bring forward to the House of Assembly an amendment to the Energy Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador Water Rights Act. The House of Assembly will reconvene on Tuesday, September 8. This act provides a legislative framework for the issuance of water rights to the Energy Corporation (Nalcor Energy) for the purpose of developing the Lower Churchill Project.

In the course of negotiating a water management agreement for the Churchill River, CF(L)Co advised Nalcor that it felt aspects of the Energy Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador Water Rights Act infringed upon its water rights lease for the Churchill Falls development. This was not the intent of the act, and government has agreed to amend it so as to avoid any ambiguity.

"This amendment is necessary in order to facilitate an agreement between Nalcor Energy or its subsidiary and CF(L)Co," said Minister Dunderdale. "As these negotiations are currently underway, we wanted to get into the House early and make this amendment to avoid any uncertainty to the parties involved. We thank the opposition for their cooperation on this matter and we look forward to further discussion on the amendment when the House reconvenes next week."

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Media contact:
Tracy Barron
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-5282, 709-690-8241
tracybarron@gov.nl.ca