Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Oct 26/01) - Nick Sibbeston is urging Deh Cho residents to give hydro projects some thought.

Although Fort Simpson is home, Senator Sibbeston spends his work day in Ottawa and his leisure time in nearby, Hull, Que. He has a two-bedroom condominium in Hull and an extremely low power bill from Hydro Quebec. From June 29 to Aug. 30, Sibbeston paid $14.81 for his power. That covers his lights, electrical heat and hot water, he said.

That's not a summertime anomaly either. Over his past six billing periods, each covering two months, he's paid between $13.55 and $14.58.

"Hydro Quebec provides really cheap power," he said. "I don't think people realize how things are in the south. Things are so cheap."

At an economic development conference in Fort Simpson a few weeks ago, Sibbeston encouraged delegates to give hydro projects serious consideration.

"I was teasing them that our power bills would be like this if we get hydro," he laughed.

He acknowledged that Hydro Quebec's rates are so economical, in part, due to its millions of customers and its sales of power to the United States.

The down side is the impact on the environment, especially flooding, he said.

"I don't know whether any hydro project can ever be done without any adverse effects," he admitted.

Joe Handley, minister of Finance and Economic Development, has been promoting the idea of hydro projects in the NWT. During a visit to Fort Simpson earlier this month, he said run-of-the-river turbine systems could be very effective. Hydro projects could also be a means for First Nations to achieve economic autonomy in conjunction with self-government, Handley said.