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Frustrated with power rates

Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, April 16, 2009

LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - No one was tarred and feathered, but two facilitators faced a room full of frustrated residents when the NWT Electricity Review stopped in Fort Simpson.

Approximately 30 people sat in rows of hard, plastic chairs in the community hall at the recreation centre on April 8 to listen to and comment on the electricity review the territorial government is conducting. Frustration about the current power rates was evident.

NNSL Photo/Graphic

Chief Isadore Simon of Jean Marie River emphasizes a point about the cost of electricity during a public forum on the NWT Electricity Review held in Fort Simpson on April 8. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

"You've got a lot of guts," said Peter Shaw, addressing the two facilitators.

Shaw, a longtime village resident, pointed to the front cover of the discussion paper that was handed out at the forum, which shows a picture of the Snare Rapids hydro dam. It's dangerous to come to a diesel-powered community with a booklet covered with a picture of a hydro dam, Shaw said.

Residents' tolerance for the current power regime and power rates is running out, Shaw said.

"That rope around your neck is getting tighter and tighter and tighter, and I'd be the first to kick that box out," he said.

The impassioned comments didn't come as a surprise to facilitators Doug Matthews and Mark Cleveland.

"We expect we'll hear some people who are pretty passionate with their views," Cleveland said during an interview before the public forum.

The purpose of the public discussions is to find out how residents reached their views and how they want things to change, Cleveland said. The group is holding forums in seven communities as part of a review of electricity regulation, rates and subsidy programs in the territory Premier Floyd Roland announced on Feb. 23.

The forums are looking to residents of the territory for answers to two broad questions, the first being about what the vision for the future of the electricity system in the NWT should look like.

The second question is about what barriers have to be overcome to reach that vision.

In Fort Simpson, many residents agreed that a one-rate zone for electricity is a necessary part of the future.

Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche was the first to speak.

"I'm here to support a same rate and fair rate for all residents," Menicoche said.

Small and remote communities can't sustain the cost of operating and maintaining diesel-generated systems. Communities running on hydroelectricity have lower rates, he said.

The savings associated with the use of hydro plants should be distributed amongst all residents because the plants are paid for and owned by the territory and they run on water, which is a communal resource, Menicoche said.

Menicoche said the rates residents of Nahanni Butte, Jean Marie River and Wrigley pay are among the five highest in the territory. With a one-rate zone the NWT average rate would be 31 cents per kilowatt hour compared to the 166.40 cents per kilowatt hour Nahanni Butte residents currently pay, said Menicoche.

Chief Isadore Simon of Jean Marie River, who was also at the forum, shared the perspective of residents who live in the smaller Deh Cho communities.

"I'd like to see you guys come there and stay there for one year. You wouldn't even stay for two weeks I bet," said Simon.

Everyone in the community has been complaining about the power rates. There's few job opportunities in Jean Marie River so it's hard for households to pay their electricity bills, he said.

If a one-rate power zone had been implemented when the idea was first raised as a solution the community would already have lower power rates, said Simon.

"You look after the bigger communities more," Simon said.

The idea that all residents should be treated equally and have equal power rates was popular amongst the crowd.

One rate for the territory is an option because of the small population size of the territory and the fact that most people live in small communities, said Bertha Norwegian, a resident of Fort Simpson.

"Often we're the voices that are ignored because the powers that be are in the larger centres," Norwegian said.

According to the facilitators, the comments raised at the public forums won't be ignored.

The forums will result in two reports.

The first report, which is scheduled to be completed in May, will contain the comments and suggestions that were raised at the forums.

The final report, which will contain recommendations for the government, will be given to Bob McLeod, the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment and the Minister Responsible for Energy Initiatives.

It's important that the review finishes quickly and produces logical suggestions, said Darlene Sibbeston, a resident of the village.

What they were doing there is affecting everyday lives for families, she told the facilitators.

"Families, businesses, communities cannot survive," Sibbeston said.