SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Allegations about secret power deals swirled in the legislative assembly Wednesday as MLAs sought to understand cabinet's intentions when it comes to energy in the territory.

"The people want to know, what is cabinet's intent behind the Miltenberger Iron Curtain?" said Range Lake MLA Daryl Dolynny, referring to Michael Miltenberger, the minister responsible for the GNWT-owned NWT Power Corporation.

"What is this new energy policy that we keep hearing about of the (Premier Bob) McLeod government?

"What secret deals are happening right now that will significantly cost the ratepayers and the taxpayers of the NWT?"

The questions from Dolynny and other MLAs came on opening day of a seven-day sitting of the legislative assembly. It was the same day as stories were published stating Northland Utilities executives fear the GNWT is moving toward expropriating its territorial assets it valued at $180 million.

Miltenberger has denied cabinet is considering expropriating the assets of Northland, which is responsible for power distribution in Yellowknife, Hay River, Trout Lake, Kakisa, Fort Providence, Wekweeti, Enterprise and the Hay River Reserve.

The company believes a power corp. bid for the Hay River franchise agreement is an opening move toward taking over power distribution across the territory, Yellowknifer reported this week.

The town issued its request for proposals Monday, opening the process that will stretch through the summer.

Dolynny, who earlier called the back and forth over power distributors a "war of egos," asked about expropriation in the assembly. Miltenberger did not directly answer the question, saying the town sought an open franchise process to deal with the high cost of power.

An analysis carried out before deciding whether to bid determined that should power corp. take over the franchise, it could "significantly" close the gap between the 31 cents per kilowatt hour charged by Northland in Hay River to the 21 cents per kilowatt hour in Fort Smith charged by the power corp. He did not give an exact figure.

Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins, who has spoken against Northland and called its recent claims a fear tactic, asked Miltenberger if the GNWT intent is to drive the company out of the territory.

The minister said he understands there's been some concern and "heartburn" in corporate boardrooms, but the concerns "are unfounded."

Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen called for clarity on a territorial energy plan in light of a Wednesday briefing by the government for MLAs that she said was devoid of substance.

"It's an absolute insult to the 11 members who sit on this side of the House that this government - if they have a plan - are not willing to share it or discuss it or take it out for public consultations," she said. "I can't divulge confidential information that's been shared in committee here, but this is something that we need to talk about."

She said if the government were to be rated on its energy plan, it would result in a failing grade. The short sitting of the assembly runs until June 4 before an eight-day sitting starting in September.

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