A vague concept of reducing the Maritimes’ dependency on coal-fired generation now has a name: the Atlantic Loop. The reference is contained in Wednesday night’s Speech from the Throne.

The Loop would wheel power from Muskrat Falls through Labrador and Quebec and down into New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Those provinces still rely heavily on coal for electricity.

Financing is now being worked out.

Federal Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan says it’s hoped the Loop will open new markets for Muskrat Falls power.

That will take the Maritimes off coal—which is good for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, says O’Regan—and expands industrial growth in the region by electrifying the grid. It’s hoped that will relieve some of the pressure on Muskrat Falls and open up a new market.

O’Regan calls that “big” for the whole country.