Nalcor Energy and Emera Inc. officials met with the federal Conservative party’s Atlantic caucus in Ottawa earlier this week to discuss the $6.2-billion Muskrat Falls hydro development.
The Lower Churchill partners are looking for $375 million from the federal government’s green infrastructure program to build the underwater transmission link between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. They’re also looking for loan guarantees.
Ed Martin, president and CEO of Nalcor, said there was interest among the MPs, but declined to say if they supported the funding request.
“They’re helping us lay some groundwork and we’ll have to wait and see,” he told reporters.
Martin was the luncheon speaker Friday at
the annual general meeting of the Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industries Association (NOIA).
He said the Muskrat Falls project would be a federal investment in cutting greenhouse gases (GHGs).
“This is project is a big part of that. It’s a ready-made solution for a big part of what they’re asking for in terms of reducing GHGs throughout the country,” he told NOIA members.
He said the multibillion-dollar hydro project will also create jobs in Atlantic Canada.
“It’s a big economic boost for the region. A strong Atlantic Canada is going to mean a strong Canada, so we’re saying to the federal government, yes, you need to get involved here.”
NOIA elections
Almost 300 NOIA members elected five people to its 13-member board of directors Friday: Raymond Collins of P. F. Collins International Trade Solutions; Marty Gaulin of WorleyParsons Canada Services Ltd.; John Henley of the Cahill Group of Cos.; Rob Strong of Blue Water Agencies Ltd.; and Doug Youden, Upstream Solutions Inc. Michael Critch of Fabcon Canada Ltd. was acclaimed as vice-chairman.
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Labrador won't be benefiting enough already? where is the work taking place? where will the majority of job creations occur? where will the longterm maintenance and operations jobs be created and sustained? where will infrastructure be fixed up to accommodate this work?? How about we leave the project where its to, and take back the ferry service, the new highway, the plane service, the northern allowances, the infrastructure, education and health care systems and the millions supplied to the native peoples (no offence)?? lets compare where the tax base of this province comes from... of over 500,000 people of the province as a whole to the some 25000+ that live off the island (Labrador)...why don't you try counting the pennies per person spent in Labrador with that of the Island before you consider making acquisitions about unfair treatment. If you want more out of the projects benefits, try getting more capital investment out of Labrador to start the project.