News of Funding for Highway 37 Power Line Welcome

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 12:58 PM

Prince George, B.C.- The Mayor of Terrace is smiling, this has been an incredible week for his community, first the Hockeyville Exhibition game with the Canucks, and now, word the Federal government will kick in $130 million to the construction of the Highway 37 transmission line. That line is a key to the development of mines in the northwest of the province, and will be a huge benefit to his community.

There is a hitch to the Federal funding and that is it is contingent on a commitment from the Provincial government for funding as well. Northern Development Initiatives Trust Board Chair, Bruce Sutherland says he is confident the province will come through “This was mentioned in the Throne speech, and by Premier Campbell that Highway 37, they were going to get going on it. So with their contribution, and the Feds contribution, it may not total up to the exact number, but I’ts very close and it’s enough where we can start moving on some things now.”

Sutherland says private industry, First Nations, the run of river projects, all now can have backing to take to the bank to get the financing they need to further their projects along.

As for Northern Development Initiatives Trust, it has not been approached to put any money into projects that would feed the Highway 37 transmission line, at least not yet.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the Federal commitment while meeting with U.S. President Barrack Obama in Washington today, which transmission line supporters says shows how important the line is to the Harper Government. The line is being touted as one way to move toward cleaner, greener energy as it will help eliminate the use of diesel generators in many communities in the northwest. It may also be linked to Alaska some day.

For Prince George, the benefits will come in the way of being a supply centre “All of B.C. has an interest in this” says Mayor Dan Rogers, “Prince George plays a role as a supply centre and that will benefit the whole region and the Pr9vince.

As for the Mayor of Terrace, David Pernarowski is beaming “We always said if you build it they will come, and we’re ready with open arms.”

The new estimate for construction of the line is in the $404 million dollar range. If there are no snags, construction could start as early as next spring.

Previous Story - Next Story

Email |

Print |

Facebook |

Twitter |

Digg |

Del.icio.us

Posted on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 12:58 PM in News by 250 News

Return to Home

Comments

Posted by: Andyfreeze on September 16 2009 1:16 PM

Great news!
This could be a major shot in the arm to the mining industry in the area!
Now,how much are you kicking in Gordon?

Posted by: camoose on September 16 2009 7:10 PM

This break for the mining industry sure sounds like socialism, not free enterprise.

Posted by: Eagleone on September 17 2009 3:35 AM

Nope essential infrastructure supplied by the government is free enterprise. (ie public roads, public water and sewer, public education are all free enterprise institutions, because they enable free enterprise to take place in an equal opportunity environment to all regardless of economic class or advantage.

With a backbone of the essential infrastructure in place it equalizes greater opportunity for not just mines, but also tourism, or what ever other small business might need to tap into the grid to be competitive in their new venture. No single person or company can pay for this kind of infrastructure on its own and then supply others with its services in a fair and transparent reliable fashion at competitive rates.

Corporate socialism would be if the money flowed through the hands of the beneficial corporations directly in a monopolistic fashion that fabricates a companies competitive advantage.