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INUVIK
Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Alfred Moses questioned cabinet for more details on the $100,000 fund set aside in the budget for liquid natural gas as a backup energy source in Inuvik, in the legislative assembly on Feb. 13.

Alfred Moses: Asked politicians in Yellowknife for details on a $100,000 fund for backup energy. - NNSL file photo

"If all things fall into place as we're planning – by this fall in Inuvik in October, November – we'd be able to have an alternative (energy) source," said Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger, adding liquid natural gas is currently the most attractive alternate energy source.

McLeod said Inuvik only has the storage capacity for five days of reserve fuel, and the fuel is shipped to Inuvik from Dawson up the Dempster Higway.

"As we all know, the Dempster Highway does close down sometimes," said McLeod.

Town officials, as well as Inuvik Gas representatives, say they have eight days of storage on hand. The town can also switch back to the natural gas from the Ikhil field and well as necessary.

Home-heating prices in Inuvik increased substantially this month, as the switchover to synthetic natural gas was made.

Liquid natural gas (LNG) has been on the forefront of the town's agenda as a possible long-term solution to its energy issues. However, the closest suppliers of the product are in British Columbia and the Yukon.

According to a report provided by Inuvik Gas general manager Kevin MacKay, the prices for LNG are currently not competitive with diesel (home heating oil), which would put it in a similar range to the synthetic natural gas now being used.

As with all the other communities in the region, Inuvik is considered too small a market to make some alternative energy sources economically feasible. MacKay didn't respond to a request for a comment on the announcement from the GNWT by press time.

"I am aware the NWTPC is looking at (liquid natural gas) for the plant in Inuvik," said Mayor Floyd Roland. "We will be meeting with them early next week."

He declined making any further comment until he had a chance to review Miltenberger's comments.

Tuktoyaktuk Mayor Merv Gruben was also interested in the announcement.

Miltenberger said he hopes to be able to make an announcement sometime during this sitting, giving more details on what the plan is for Inuvik energy.

– with files from Laura Busch

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