Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Monday, February 5, 2007

FORT SIMPSON - Fort Simpson village council may consider distancing themselves from the NWT Power Corporation in a move to make the community more energy efficient.

Part of an energy plan currently under development may include greater autonomy from the NWT Power Corporation, according to mayor Duncan Canvin.

"There's a dragon that has to be slain," said Canvin during the meeting in reference to the company.

The village's 1997 plan lists working with the Power Corporation as one of the village's goals but the company hasn't made any efforts to show they are conscious of costs or trying to get the best value for the customers, the mayor said. The company needs to have more of a vision, said Canvin.

"Either they have to change or be left behind," he said.

On Jan. 24 the village held a meeting to establish a committee to create a feasible energy plan.

The village is revisiting the idea of an energy plan because it's one of the requirements from the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) that the village has to meet in order to continue to receive their gas tax money, said Canvin.