Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Apr 21/00) - Fort Simpson village council has elected to go with Calgary-based Jupiter Power International as its power generator following a request for proposals process.

The selection, which was voted on during Monday's council meeting, is subject to approval by the Public Utilities Board and will then be put before residents for a plebiscite.

Fort Simpson Mayor Norm Prevost said Jupiter has always had the lowest price and the best offer. The savings from the residual heat, which is to be given to the village, will amount to "a minimum" $100,000 per year alone. At the same time Jupiter can save the village more per kilowatt hour compared to the Power Corp., he acknowledged.

"Quite a savings," said Prevost, who wasn't aware of the exact figure Tuesday.

Coun. John Hazenberg strongly objected to Monday's council motion, saying, "I don't think we've done enough research. I don't think we've weighed the pros and cons."

He called for a recorded vote on the matter. He and Coun. Duncan Canvin, who abstained, were the only two to oppose, while Prevost, deputy mayor Bob Hanna and councillors Gord Villeneuve, Sandy Kidd and Tom Wilson were in favour. Coun. Owen Rowe was absent.

After the meeting Hazenberg argued the village is pursuing a long-term contract with a company that will offer the same costly diesel fuel as NTPC and doesn't represent a better environmental alternative because it also uses diesel generation.

"I feel we're not accomplishing any of our goals," he said.

Prevost contended the option will exist to upgrade to more efficient, environmentally-friendly engines as they become available. As well, if a natural gas pipeline becomes a reality in the Mackenzie Valley, he said the plant could easily be converted to use that gas in two to three weeks.

"That's the kind of plant we want. We can adapt with the changing times, not have to stick with the same thing for the next 30 years because we can't afford to change it," he said.

"As well, we're looking at signing an agreement with Jupiter similar to what we want to do with our technology at the (sewage treatment) plant. Any other communities that they might work in in the future, we'll be working with them to help things out as a team approach."

Jupiter Power International is a publicly-traded company that has been in business since 1993. Their current clientele consists of four small communities in south-east Asia. Fort Simpson would be their first venture in Canada.