On Tuesday, natural resources minister Jerome Kennedy told the House of Assembly:
Essentially, what Muskrat Falls does, it allows 40 per cent of the power for the Island to meet the Island needs, 20 per cent for the export - 170 megawatts which allows us to then gain access to the markets in the United States, in the Maritimes, but also to develop other hydro and wind sources on the Island, and 40 per cent of the power for Labrador.
Of course there are no chances of exporting the extremely expensive electricity from Muskrat Falls into any other province, let alone export it and make money.
But hey, let’s humour Jerome! for a bit.
Don’t forget to notice the part that is about the link to Nova Scotia:
170 megawatts which allows us to then gain access to the markets in the United States, in the Maritimes, but also to develop other hydro and wind sources on the Island
Export.
That goes with Jerome’s comments over the past few months about all the revenue that will come from Muskrat Falls.
So what did Jerome say on Wednesday, a mere 24 hours later?
… we see the Maritime Link as a great opportunity to gain a billion-dollar asset for our children and grandchildren, Mr. Speaker, an asset that will continue to produce revenue, which opens up the ability to move power when needed, Mr. Speaker, to the Maritime Provinces, but also it allows us to bring power back…
There’s that revenue thing again, even though Nalcor has no customers for any Muskrat Falls power outside this province. Basically, if they can’t force people to pay for Muskrat Falls, no one will.
But look at the words at the end.
…it allows us to bring power back…
The energy warehouse will be importing electricity now, according to Jerome Kennedy. All those people who will be making money from Muskrat falls – if you believe Jerome – will also be able to live the dream he has and buy electricity from somewhere else.
Why would our children and grandchildren and their children and grandchildren do that if - according to the provincial Tories - we have more than we need and want to export it all forever and a day especially after 2041 when we “repatriate” Churchill Falls?
Sometimes you really get the sense that Jerome and his friends just make stuff up as they go.
- srbp -