The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources, today released the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities (PUB) interim report, which outlines options to prevent the significant cost of the Muskrat Falls project from impacting Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The interim report will inform the Provincial Government’s overall plan to protect the rate payers and taxpayers of the province.

The Provincial Government brought the PUB back into providing oversight of the Muskrat Falls project in September 2018. This interim report provides options to reduce the cost impacts of Muskrat Falls, which include cost savings opportunities, revenue generating opportunities, and financing opportunities. The PUB’s report aligns and validates work government is already doing.

Engaging the PUB is the most recent in a series of initiatives that the Provincial Government has taken to control the cost and schedule of the $12.7 billion project it inherited from the previous government. To date, actions have included improved project governance; an independent review of the cost, schedule and risks; securing a federal loan guarantee; and allocating $200 million per year to manage electricity rates.

The PUB’s interim report can be found at www.nr.gov.nl.ca/nr/publications/energy/PUB_rate_mitigation_options_and_paying_for_muskrat_falls.pdf .

The PUB’s final report is expected in January 2020.

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“Through diligence and hard work we are cleaning up the Muskrat Falls project. This interim report provides options that will deliver on our commitment that the costs of this project will not burden the taxpayers and rate payers of our province. To pay for the project we will grow revenue, cut costs and manage the mortgage of Muskrat Falls. We thank the PUB for their work, and we are looking forward to their final report in January 2020.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Minister of Natural Resources

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Learn more
Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities (PUB) Interim Report 

Mitigating Muskrat: 38 Month Review 

Reference Question to Board on Rate Mitigation Options and Impacts 

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Media Contact
Lisa Lawlor
Natural Resources
709-729-5777
lisalawlor@gov.nl.ca