Province Pleased Lower Churchill Project Continues to Move Forward

Premier Darrell Dexter today, March 15, welcomed another major step forward in the development of the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project with its release from federal and provincial environmental assessments.

"The release of the environmental assessment is a huge milestone that brings us closer to developing a project that is important to Nova Scotia and the entire Atlantic region," said Premier Dexter.

"It confirms our belief that this is a good project both environmentally and economically and we're pleased to be partners in making it happen."

The governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador announced today that the project is now released from environmental assessment.

A joint review panel examined the environmental and economic implications of the project and considered public comments. It concluded the project would result in energy security as well as employment, business and environmental benefits. In releasing the project, the governments also committed to taking steps to address the environmental impacts identified by the panel.

The Lower Churchill Project gives Nova Scotia access to 35 years of clean, reliable power at a fixed rate, providing long-term price stability for Nova Scotians. It will also help build a more integrated regional transmission grid.

"Our energy strategy is about building a diverse portfolio of energy sources and Lower Churchill power is part of that mix. It will provide eight to 10 per cent of our total energy needs while creating hundreds of millions of dollars in income for Nova Scotians who will be employed over the life of the project, from construction to operation."

Nova Scotia will have access to 20 per cent of the project's power over 35 years in return for Emera funding 20 per cent of the project's capital cost. The estimated $1.2-billion investment will give Nova Scotia long-term certainty around the cost of this block of electricity.

This first phase of the Lower Churchill project includes the development of the 824-megawatt generation facility at Muskrat Falls, the Labrador-Island subsea transmission link, on-island transmission facilities and the underwater cable between the island of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, known as the Maritime Link.

Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia have a Memorandum of Understanding for ensuring industrial and employment benefits from the project. For information, go to http://gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20111128002 .

The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB) must review and approve the project before it can proceed. The UARB can retain external consultants to review and provide advice on the project if required.