Herb Mathisen
Northern News Services
Published Monday, June 30, 2008

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Meeting with the minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) on June 10, MLAs discussed how the Taltson River hydroelectric station could be expanded to provide energy to the diamond mines.

The territorial budget includes $3 million to examine the proposal, which concerns the Taltson River hydro station situated 56 km northeast of Fort Smith. The station provides Fort Smith, Fort Resolution and Hay River with power.

ITI minister Bob McLeod said there is currently a proposal to construct 690 km of new transmission lines running up the east side of Great Slave Lake to the diamond mines 300 km northeast of Yellowknife from the Taltson River dam.

The NWT Power Corp.'s website states the estimated cost would be $160 million.

"The previous government had determined that it was not feasible to go around the lake, but we have indicated that we are prepared to review those costs," said McLeod.

Glen Abernethy, MLA for Great Slave, said this route would provide difficulties, requiring higher costs, as the line would have to be laid down by helicopter since there are no highways around the east arm of the lake.

Abernethy urged the minister to allow regular MLAs to provide input on the route. He even suggested extending power lines from Hay River to Yellowknife via the future Deh Cho Bridge across the Mackenzie River. This would allow communities along Highway 3 and the city of Yellowknife to receive power from the Taltson station, he said.

Jane Groenewegen, MLA for Hay River South, had concerns about the project's capacity being entirely consumed by the diamond mines, with no benefit to communities.

Wendy Bisaro, MLA for Frame Lake, wondered how effective the project would be, considering the relatively short life of the mines.

"I don't see much sense in providing power to the mines for 15 or 20 years and then having a hydro line going nowhere," said Bisaro.

McLeod said there would be further extensions to the lines after the mines shut down.

"What we're talking about is a power legacy that would last for up to 100 years," said McLeod.

Dave Ramsay, MLA for Kam Lake, said it could be another three or four years before the project receives regulatory approval and completes construction, and that would be another four years out of the diamond mines' lifespans. He also urged the government to develop a long-term hydro strategy.

Premier Floyd Roland has said the project will reduce the cost of living by providing cheaper energy and will be a "cleaner" means of generating energy.