Transmission lines for the proposed Lower Churchill hydro project won't run through Gros Morne National Park, after all.
Premier Danny Williams said Wednesday it's no longer an option.
But he's still looking for federal financial assistance to take a more expensive route around the national park.
"We are going to go around it. We are not going through it, and on that basis we think it'd be appropriate for the federal government to provide some assistance," Williams told reporters Wednesday.
"The argument was made, quite rightly, by people that you don't want to create an eyesore in ... one of our best tourism attractions in the province."
Williams initially mentioned the power lines as a joke during a keynote speech at an Energy Council of Canada conference in St. John's.
"As for the UNESCO piece, deputy minister (Kathy Dunderdale), I was just kidding," he told the audience. "We were just testing your mettle, that's all. But we would like some financial help to go around the back, if you could do it."
World Heritage Site
Gros Morne was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Williams said the federal government has a role to play in funding the Lower Churchill hydro project.
"So, we're trying to do the right thing here, but we're also trying to encourage the federal government as well to get involved and to participate in this project which ... is a great project for all of Canada," he said.
"Now, whether they put their funds directly into that or they put it generally into the project, in addition to providing some guarantees, we'll have to see where it resolves."
In July, Williams said a transmission line through Gros Morne was not his preferred route, but it was the cheaper option.
He suggested it could cost an extra $100 million to bypass the park, and that money could be better spent elsewhere.
"It's wrong to oversimplify it, but if it meant putting an extra $100 million into health care as opposed to putting it into UNESCO, I'd put it into health care. But it's not as simple as that," Williams told reporters July 7.
Earlier this year, Nalcor Energy unveiled its proposed route - through more than 60 kilometres of the park - for the Lower Churchill transmission lines and 40-metre towers.
An alternate route bypassing the park is considered more expensive and technically more difficult.
The route is part of a 1,200-kilometre hydro link to transmit Lower Churchill power to the island portion of the province. It also comes with an option of extending the link underwater to the Maritime provinces and the New England states.
Williams said construction could begin as early as next year, if the link receives environmental assessment approvals.
On Wednesday, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador (HNL) commended the premier for recognizing Gros Morne's value to the provincial tourism industry and opting for an alternate transmission route.
"While as an industry we understand the need to explore all options with respect to this project, we could not be happier with this decision," said a release from HNL chairman Bruce Sparkes.
The tourism industry association said it was "adamantly opposed to any development that would degrade the natural and cultural integrity of the national park."
mbaird@thetelegram.com
No power lines for Gros Morne, premier says
Premier Danny Williams was the keynote speaker Wednesday at a luncheon of the Canadian Energy Forum held at the Delta Hotel in St. Johns. Photo by Gary Hebbard/The Telegram
- Published on September 3rd, 2009
- Published on July 1st, 2010
-
Moira Baird
The Telegram
Transmission lines for the proposed Lower Churchill hydro project won't run through Gros Morne National Park, after all.
Premier Danny Williams said Wednesday it's no longer an option.
But he's still looking for federal financial assistance to take a more expensive route around the national park.
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Comments
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- teamplayer
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:35:36
While I think it's great that the natural beauty of Gros Morne will be preserved, I can't help but think that going around the park is only going to translate into astronomical increases in our already outrageous power rates!!
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- fintip
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:32:10
Hallelujah! It is, of course, the right decision. We don't know whether it was divine intervention or the certainty that the world heritage route advanced by Martin and Company stood no chance of being approved. Either way, the reversal is welcome even if the false start represents an unnecessary waste of time and money. I am normally a strong supporter of the policies of this government. I believe Williams has an excellent track record with respect to his management of major files including the offshore, the economy and social programming - if only in stark contrast with those who have gone before him. I am not alone however in the belief that his tendency to make rash decisions and pronouncements are his Achilles Heel. He has a fine group of advisors in his office but they are young and disinclined toward offering advice unless it is sought. It comes dangerously close to the one-way dialogue of other past administrations, most recently that of Clyde Wells in which unsolicited advice was not only unwelcome but spurned. While the business sector from which Williams graduated with such success tends to reward those who act quickly and aggressively, the same is not always true of politics and government. The Premier should solicit advice and input from a wider group of confidants and should resist the temptation to speak publicly on contentious issues at least until he has had the chance to sleep on them. His comments yesterday giving short shrift to his caucus member for Lewisporte are an example of being a little too quick and too harsh. It doesn't matter who was right or wrong. There was no imminent palace revolt and little to be gained from the public dressing down other than to undermine the credibility of one of your own. I don't mean to lecture but if the Premier is intent on a third term, which I have no doubt he will easily win, he might want to start pacing himself a little more. As a golf enthusiast, he is well aware of the admonition that you drive for show and putt for dough. To master the game of politics, Williams needs only to work a little more on his short game.
-
- Richard
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:26:11
Anyone who honestly believes that this government has any plan or financing in place to bring Churchill Falls power to the Island and then across the Gulf again is a very, very gullible person.
This whole discussion is silly. -
- Krista
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:25:25
William, I should have been more clear. I do think Gros Morne has value in terms of ecosystems and diversity. However, most, if not all, of the habitat that will be 'opened up' with the alternative route is not protected or managed and it will be made available to anyone who wants to hunt, log, build cabins, etc.
-
- Tom
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:25:17
All to do with the impending election on the horizon and Dan puts pressure on Harper to crack the whip on Quebec Hydro to get a deal and yeah if nothing good comes of it here we go again with the ABC
-
- William
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:24:11
Thank you Danny
-
- zepantz
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:22:56
teamplayer: these new power lines will reduce energy costs in the long run- hence renewable energy
i agree that the provincial gov't needs to take a long hard look at the alternative, and the damage that may occur as a result to this alternative route. but thats what the EAs are for.
oh and gros morne is a unesco world heritage site because of the geology there- some of the rocks there are thought to have originated form the deepest trenches of the ocean... not discounting the ecological significance of gros morne, just saying.... -
- Frankie
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:22:36
UNESCO SMESHCO ... does anyone here think that $150-$200/barrel oil WON'T kill the global tourist trade?? Inside of a decade there won't be but a handful of hard-core adventure types travelling to the Island anyhow ...
I agree, that the unspoiled ecosystem on the opposite side of the Great Northern Peninsula is equally important, if not more so than that of Gros Morne Park.
If they really wanna bring Chruchill power to the Island, then lay a seabed cable across the Gulf of St. Lawrence and bring it ashore south of the Park? Shurly that tecnology exists?? -
- Nasty
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:21:49
Looks like little Danny had his hand slapped for thinking he was above the law. Maybe the fed's need to start charging park fee's for all other National Parks and Historic Sites in the province as punishment for Danny's little gaff.
Be nice to see the rules in effect at Signal Hill and Cape Spear. Keep them berry and flower pickers at bay and even raise a little cash with the fines. Where is your mighty Harper on this over-sight? -
- Steve
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:19:55
William,
I'm not making an argument i'm stating a fact. There are three transmission lines through Gros Morne now, one of which would be shadowed by the new proposed line.
The current proposed alternative route that Nalcor has selected and included in the registration document is illustrated to go through the Main River watershed area.....an area that i frequent in the winter months, and an area that has not yet been scared by commercial development aside from outfitters and recreational users like myself.
People like yourself were quick to say no to placing a transmission line through the park, but obviously the majority of people opposed the the prefered route didn't do their homework and realize that there is already a line through the park, and that Gros Morne is a highly commercialized tourist attraction .......not a pristine undeveloped natural area such as the Main River watershed.
People with your views are getting the issue of environmental conservation confused with maintaining a view shed that generates revenue for the locals.
The real issue is the flooding of the churchill river and the location of the transmission line, and to do it in a manner that reduces the overall impact to the environment.
I really don't care where the line goes, as long as we aren't placing our natural areas, biological diversity and wildlife at risk. -
- Frank M.
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:17:32
With the Feds running a $50 billion deficit I sincerely doubt there will be any federal assistance for any hydro project.
A precedent is being set in New brunswick by the Irving Group to privately finance a hydro project there. Williams has made similar rumblings here in the past.
I do hope that Danny Williams does not start jumping up and down and concoct another foolish campaign like ABC.
Here is the question to be answered for NL in the next federal election, whenever it may be:
Will your party remove non-renewable offshore resources royalty wealth from the Equalization program.
That's how Harper punished us for the ABC campaign and Michael Ignatieff refuses to answer that question. -
- Guess Who
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:16:55
You mad my day again Bones LOL LOL LOL. Whenever I need a good laugh I know I can always count on you. We all have something in life we are good at and this seems to be yours. Hopefully on your menial income the Telegram isnt charging you rent because its eveident that you must actually live here. Your whole day revolves around Danny and his haters. Then again if thats what you like doing by all means go for it. The pay is terrible but at least it makes you happy and gives many of us a good laugh. Thank you Bones. Job well done.
-
- Steve
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:14:22
Hopefully he realizes the proposed alternative route is right through a National Heritage River watershed and an area that was just named the newest provincial park. It doesn't make sense to run a power line through an area that is pristine when the option exists to run it along side an existing line. Nice that people want to make the national park look pretty for the tourists, but what about the environment. Too many people are quick to say we need to preserve the national park, but what about the natural environment and the untouched ecosystems? Too many people are focused on the esthetics of how things look and are percieved regardless of the consequence of an alternative.
It's too bad that there aren't more people concerned about preserving pristine areas, maintaining strong ecosystems and the natural environment instead of how things look.
I hope they've done their homework on this one. Grose Morne might be nice to look at, but i'm willing to bet that there are plants and insects that exist on the other side of the mountain that no body knows about and probably doesn't exist anywhere elese in the world! -
- Taxpayer
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:13:57
To teamplayer. NL has the lowest power rates in atlantic canada. We actually have some of the lowest power rates in Canada. This is even more amazing when you add the fact that we are on an island with very little hydro power, and the fact that we are so heavily taxed. Get your facts straight before you post.
-
- William
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:13:42
I beg to differ Krista and Steve on your ecosystems arguemnet, but that can go for GrosMorne as well, isnt that part of the reasonning on it becoming designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site
-
- Krista
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:13:18
Steve, you're absolutely right. Of course the knee jerk reaction of anyone who enjoys the outdoors and the parks was to object to the proposed development (myself included). But I have looked closely at the alternative and it is far worse.
While the route through the park would have been unsightly and caused the loss of some 'natural' areas - parks are managed and largely influenced by humans already. The alternative route will open up undisturbed habitat for human use and lead to inevitable habitat destruction. The lesser of two evils would have been to go through the park. -
- teamplayer
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:11:43
Taxpayer, where in my post did I compare us to anywhere else in our country?? Just because our rates are cheaper than elsewhere doesn't mean that we aren't being taking to the cleaners. Our do you think that $300/month is a reasonable amount for heat and lights during the winter in a small house, without the heat on blast and the place lit up like a battle ship that is. I know people that pay almost $600/month in larger houses, a pretty good chunk of most peoples take home pay.
-
- teamplayer
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:25:47
While I think it's great that the natural beauty of Gros Morne will be preserved, I can't help but think that going around the park is only going to translate into astronomical increases in our already outrageous power rates!!
-
- fintip
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:20:57
Hallelujah! It is, of course, the right decision. We don't know whether it was divine intervention or the certainty that the world heritage route advanced by Martin and Company stood no chance of being approved. Either way, the reversal is welcome even if the false start represents an unnecessary waste of time and money. I am normally a strong supporter of the policies of this government. I believe Williams has an excellent track record with respect to his management of major files including the offshore, the economy and social programming - if only in stark contrast with those who have gone before him. I am not alone however in the belief that his tendency to make rash decisions and pronouncements are his Achilles Heel. He has a fine group of advisors in his office but they are young and disinclined toward offering advice unless it is sought. It comes dangerously close to the one-way dialogue of other past administrations, most recently that of Clyde Wells in which unsolicited advice was not only unwelcome but spurned. While the business sector from which Williams graduated with such success tends to reward those who act quickly and aggressively, the same is not always true of politics and government. The Premier should solicit advice and input from a wider group of confidants and should resist the temptation to speak publicly on contentious issues at least until he has had the chance to sleep on them. His comments yesterday giving short shrift to his caucus member for Lewisporte are an example of being a little too quick and too harsh. It doesn't matter who was right or wrong. There was no imminent palace revolt and little to be gained from the public dressing down other than to undermine the credibility of one of your own. I don't mean to lecture but if the Premier is intent on a third term, which I have no doubt he will easily win, he might want to start pacing himself a little more. As a golf enthusiast, he is well aware of the admonition that you drive for show and putt for dough. To master the game of politics, Williams needs only to work a little more on his short game.
-
- Richard
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:12:58
Anyone who honestly believes that this government has any plan or financing in place to bring Churchill Falls power to the Island and then across the Gulf again is a very, very gullible person.
This whole discussion is silly. -
- Krista
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:11:41
William, I should have been more clear. I do think Gros Morne has value in terms of ecosystems and diversity. However, most, if not all, of the habitat that will be 'opened up' with the alternative route is not protected or managed and it will be made available to anyone who wants to hunt, log, build cabins, etc.
-
- Tom
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:11:27
All to do with the impending election on the horizon and Dan puts pressure on Harper to crack the whip on Quebec Hydro to get a deal and yeah if nothing good comes of it here we go again with the ABC
-
- William
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:09:39
Thank you Danny
-
- zepantz
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:07:38
teamplayer: these new power lines will reduce energy costs in the long run- hence renewable energy
i agree that the provincial gov't needs to take a long hard look at the alternative, and the damage that may occur as a result to this alternative route. but thats what the EAs are for.
oh and gros morne is a unesco world heritage site because of the geology there- some of the rocks there are thought to have originated form the deepest trenches of the ocean... not discounting the ecological significance of gros morne, just saying.... -
- Frankie
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:07:02
UNESCO SMESHCO ... does anyone here think that $150-$200/barrel oil WON'T kill the global tourist trade?? Inside of a decade there won't be but a handful of hard-core adventure types travelling to the Island anyhow ...
I agree, that the unspoiled ecosystem on the opposite side of the Great Northern Peninsula is equally important, if not more so than that of Gros Morne Park.
If they really wanna bring Chruchill power to the Island, then lay a seabed cable across the Gulf of St. Lawrence and bring it ashore south of the Park? Shurly that tecnology exists?? -
- Nasty
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:05:42
Looks like little Danny had his hand slapped for thinking he was above the law. Maybe the fed's need to start charging park fee's for all other National Parks and Historic Sites in the province as punishment for Danny's little gaff.
Be nice to see the rules in effect at Signal Hill and Cape Spear. Keep them berry and flower pickers at bay and even raise a little cash with the fines. Where is your mighty Harper on this over-sight? -
- Steve
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:02:17
William,
I'm not making an argument i'm stating a fact. There are three transmission lines through Gros Morne now, one of which would be shadowed by the new proposed line.
The current proposed alternative route that Nalcor has selected and included in the registration document is illustrated to go through the Main River watershed area.....an area that i frequent in the winter months, and an area that has not yet been scared by commercial development aside from outfitters and recreational users like myself.
People like yourself were quick to say no to placing a transmission line through the park, but obviously the majority of people opposed the the prefered route didn't do their homework and realize that there is already a line through the park, and that Gros Morne is a highly commercialized tourist attraction .......not a pristine undeveloped natural area such as the Main River watershed.
People with your views are getting the issue of environmental conservation confused with maintaining a view shed that generates revenue for the locals.
The real issue is the flooding of the churchill river and the location of the transmission line, and to do it in a manner that reduces the overall impact to the environment.
I really don't care where the line goes, as long as we aren't placing our natural areas, biological diversity and wildlife at risk. -
- Frank M.
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:58:15
With the Feds running a $50 billion deficit I sincerely doubt there will be any federal assistance for any hydro project.
A precedent is being set in New brunswick by the Irving Group to privately finance a hydro project there. Williams has made similar rumblings here in the past.
I do hope that Danny Williams does not start jumping up and down and concoct another foolish campaign like ABC.
Here is the question to be answered for NL in the next federal election, whenever it may be:
Will your party remove non-renewable offshore resources royalty wealth from the Equalization program.
That's how Harper punished us for the ABC campaign and Michael Ignatieff refuses to answer that question. -
- Guess Who
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:57:11
You mad my day again Bones LOL LOL LOL. Whenever I need a good laugh I know I can always count on you. We all have something in life we are good at and this seems to be yours. Hopefully on your menial income the Telegram isnt charging you rent because its eveident that you must actually live here. Your whole day revolves around Danny and his haters. Then again if thats what you like doing by all means go for it. The pay is terrible but at least it makes you happy and gives many of us a good laugh. Thank you Bones. Job well done.
-
- Steve
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:53:14
Hopefully he realizes the proposed alternative route is right through a National Heritage River watershed and an area that was just named the newest provincial park. It doesn't make sense to run a power line through an area that is pristine when the option exists to run it along side an existing line. Nice that people want to make the national park look pretty for the tourists, but what about the environment. Too many people are quick to say we need to preserve the national park, but what about the natural environment and the untouched ecosystems? Too many people are focused on the esthetics of how things look and are percieved regardless of the consequence of an alternative.
It's too bad that there aren't more people concerned about preserving pristine areas, maintaining strong ecosystems and the natural environment instead of how things look.
I hope they've done their homework on this one. Grose Morne might be nice to look at, but i'm willing to bet that there are plants and insects that exist on the other side of the mountain that no body knows about and probably doesn't exist anywhere elese in the world! -
- Taxpayer
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:52:31
To teamplayer. NL has the lowest power rates in atlantic canada. We actually have some of the lowest power rates in Canada. This is even more amazing when you add the fact that we are on an island with very little hydro power, and the fact that we are so heavily taxed. Get your facts straight before you post.
-
- William
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:52:03
I beg to differ Krista and Steve on your ecosystems arguemnet, but that can go for GrosMorne as well, isnt that part of the reasonning on it becoming designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site
-
- Krista
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:51:14
Steve, you're absolutely right. Of course the knee jerk reaction of anyone who enjoys the outdoors and the parks was to object to the proposed development (myself included). But I have looked closely at the alternative and it is far worse.
While the route through the park would have been unsightly and caused the loss of some 'natural' areas - parks are managed and largely influenced by humans already. The alternative route will open up undisturbed habitat for human use and lead to inevitable habitat destruction. The lesser of two evils would have been to go through the park. -
- teamplayer
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:48:25
Taxpayer, where in my post did I compare us to anywhere else in our country?? Just because our rates are cheaper than elsewhere doesn't mean that we aren't being taking to the cleaners. Our do you think that $300/month is a reasonable amount for heat and lights during the winter in a small house, without the heat on blast and the place lit up like a battle ship that is. I know people that pay almost $600/month in larger houses, a pretty good chunk of most peoples take home pay.
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