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Saturday , December 30 1899

Comments (total comments:18)

Newfie boy :

I think it's good we are having this debate on Muskrat. I had my doubts as so many others, but, the last few days I am beginning to think the project is worth the risk. Had we had a similar debate back in Smallwood's era, then maybe the deal that went ahead on Churchill Falls would not have happened. With any business enterprise there is risk and it appears that finally we are hearing why the project should go ahead. I am still on the fence, but, defitintely swaying toward supporting the project. After listening to Ed Martin of Nalcor and this report which supports what Martin said, I don't think it will bankrupt the province. The power can be stored for future use if it can't be sold for profit. If what Martin says is correct, stored power is the same a stored oil. I still want to hear more about Muskrat and think the debate is healthy. I still do not trust either the PC's or the present Premier after bill 29, but, this project seems to have some merit.

Posted: 10/9/2012 9:00:38 PM

Scott :

with the "naysayers" and the "government hacks" shooting off thier faces who knows what to believe. both sides twist facts and figures and statisics, the common persons ears probably bleed everytime mf is mentioned. if the project is good great ,if its not we're screwed the project is going ahead no matter what anyone says and we will live with the consequences. everything going on is recorded in the media and people can say or do what they like but all the truths will come out in the end. it wiil be interesting to see how history plays out this time

Posted: 10/9/2012 8:05:49 PM

Mel :

Get on with it and please stop all the negativity it is getting hard take the muskrat has been beaten to death,

Posted: 10/9/2012 7:52:49 PM

Ready kill a watt :

Another independent expert telling us again that our government is not acting to protect ratepayers and taxpayers, this project needs very close regulatory review by the PUB, otherwise NLers get ready to be electrocuted by Nalcor and the Dunderdale Government.

Posted: 10/9/2012 7:17:15 PM

Alec C :

How many MW of closed mill power are currently available on the Island?

Has Nalcor projected the above with the strong possibility of Corner Brook mill power being available within years?

Smaller hydro projects - Nalcor please release a site by site cost and generation capacity document.

330MW and 1,100KM transmission lines for only 40% of Muskrat power seems like a poor business case.

Energy efficiency saves both ratepayer and utilities money while lowering demand.

824MW natural gas plant was constructed for $1,000,000,000 - Avalon only requires 400MW peak load maximum.

Nalcor and government already had the Quebec bogyman out in full force with regards to Upper Churchill. Saying that power from UC mightn't be available post-2041. 37% of UC power will still belong to HQ after the contract but the remaining 63% is NLs to do with it they want.

Thousands of MWs of power justifies an Atlantic Transmission line, no worries about financing such infrastructure exits.

Avalon ratepayers will end up subsidizing the remaining 60% of Muskrat generation, as reflected on our power bills.

1/2 of the voting population resides within the Avalon, coupled with Labrador 275K people directly affected by Muskrat seem to be ignored and side swept on this issue.

Posted: 10/9/2012 4:40:46 PM

Pam :

Hey what is not risky? Get on with it...

Posted: 10/9/2012 4:33:32 PM

Baxter :

I think VOCM should archive the comments on this news item especially the comment by 'Annette' and years from now Annette can come on this fourm again and say "I told you so". The president of Nacoer was already on air talking some nonsense about the Upper and Lower Churchill sharing water and running transmission towers from Muskrat Falls to Churchill Falls to make up for this water use. There has been no mention of running transmission towers anywhere on the island or from Muskrat Falls to the Strait Of Belle Isle. C'mon Nalcor - don't try to pee on my leg and tell me it is raining ! !

Posted: 10/9/2012 3:10:48 PM

To Joe :

Island demand has declined by about 300 GWH in the past five years.

Posted: 10/9/2012 2:38:50 PM

Maurice E. Adams :

You nailed it ANNETTE. How else can you rationally explain the full speed ahead at the MF dam site?

Posted: 10/9/2012 1:34:13 PM

Annette :

Here's a thought ! The project will go ahead but will soon start costing much more than was planned so in order to cut costs a fixed link to the island will be posponed and the power will be sent through QUEBEC instead - or was that the plan all along.

Posted: 10/9/2012 12:40:59 PM

Joe :

When has the demand for energy either stayed the same or gone down? Cashin and the 5 amigos now need to address that question.

Posted: 10/9/2012 11:14:28 AM

Conservation :

Nalcor does not include energy savings from its energy efficiency programs in their demand forecasts:
"The project was found to be the lowest-cost option if demand for electricity increases but if the demand for power remains stable or even decreases, then either Churchill Falls recall power or some combination of wind power and small hydro would be cheaper."

and why don't we just build the maritime Link ourselves and build Muskrat when we can export the power for a profit?
"Calling the project nationally important, it says connecting Newfoundland to the North American grid brings benefits that cannot be easily captured in a least-cost analysis."

of course this gov't only looked at two options for meeting our energy needs...and they don't include energy efficiency programs. THERE ARE MANY OPTIONS, not just two!!!

Posted: 10/9/2012 10:29:42 AM

The deeper you dig :

The closer that you look at the numbers, the riskier this project looks. Really, why not just worry about getting to 2041 when we will be awash with power? The study doesn't even consider that.

Posted: 10/9/2012 10:29:38 AM

Fred Penner :

Muskrat is the least cost option given the assumptions present in the report - which were also regarded as reasonable by the Feds and MHI and Wade Locke and Nalcor and others.

Posted: 10/9/2012 10:16:20 AM

Maurice E. Adams :

So with low demand, NRC says Muskrat is NOT the lowest cost power -- and Nalcor has failed to convince the only 2 independent reports that we need the power.

Posted: 10/9/2012 10:04:58 AM

Jon :

Look, it is time to get things moving. I am tired of all the time that is spent having to defend this project. The ignorance of the people that are against Muskrat is costing us $$$ and valuable time.

Posted: 10/9/2012 9:29:22 AM

Yes b'y :

Enough already!!!!

Lets get this thing going. As the report says there is more to benefit than cost.

Bring it on!!!!

Posted: 10/9/2012 8:58:20 AM

Will the facts matter? :

Studies also show that most estimates say that the demand for power in the world will double with the continued advances in technology, and that green power is very important for our future.

We have a good deal of information & facts. Will the facts matter to the nay sayers? Somehow I doubt it, and I bet dollars to doughnuts that they will be on the call in programs & in the media this morning claiming this as some sort of victory, and saying we don't need more power. They would argue against this regardless of what the studies say.

Posted: 10/9/2012 8:14:17 AM

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