Discarded energy plans eyed again thanks to carbon tax
GNWT already looking at boosting Taltson production to sell power to Saskatchewan
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Monday, October 17, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Michael McLeod says a carbon tax and the federal government's focus on infrastructure poses a chance to dust off plans for energy projects previously rejected due to high costs.
"There's many opportunities that could be looked at again," McLeod, the Liberal MP for the territory, said in an interview earlier this month with News/North.
"Reducing the cost of power is a big one across the NWT and jurisdictions in the North. If we could deal with that, it would certainly lower our cost of living for sure. This might be the opportunity to do that."
He specifically pointed to an expansion of the Taltson dam and a proposal for a dam near Deline as some examples brought forward during his time in territorial government that had been set aside.
The Taltson expansion with a transmission link to the southern Canada is a project with a hefty price the territorial government is already examining.
Louis Sebert, the minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, told the legislative assembly in March the project could run between $500 and $1 billion to expand and run a transmission line south to sell power to Saskatchewan. Taltson powers Hay River, Fort Smith, Fort Resolution and Enterprise.
The expansion, the minister said, is being studied by the territory together with SaskPower as the province seeks to have half of its power come from renewable energy by 2030.
The province would likely take on much of the bill for the project that could increase power generation capacity by 200 megawatts from the current 18 megawatts, though Sebert said the territory would also likely seek federal funds.
As part of the carbon tax the federal government is forcing on provinces and territories, McLeod said there's recognition the North has to be treated differently.
"The government has recognized that we have special conditions in the North and we will need more attention in terms of assistance and investment," McLeod said.
Premier Bob McLeod eluded to federal spending on energy projects when the legislative assembly resumed in a speech Oct. 13.
"We will also continue to explore opportunities for partnering with Canada on energy infrastructure projects that could both reduce the cost of living for Northwest Territories residents and help contribute to national and territorial greenhouse gas emissions targets," McLeod said without elaborating on specific projects.
