Energy Minister Neufeld Says No Industry Contribution, No Highway 37 Power

By 250 News

Minister of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources, Richard Neufeld says the extension of power along highway 37 north will only come about if a major producer such as Galore Creek signs on to pay part of the cost of that line.

 Neufeld says Teck Cominco put the breaks on their development of Galore Creek for what ever reason and they may still build .I think it was prudent for the BC government to say unless someone else steps up we are not going ahead. I think the message was loud and clear build it and they will come and no one stepped up.

Neufeld says in order for the power extension to take place there is going to need to be some solid industry step forward to pay for part of the cost , before the project goes ahead.

We lost our partner for $158 million; the contribution that Galore Creek was going to make towards a $400 million dollar project, Neufeld says,  we had no choice but to stand still on the extension with the end user of the power and a major contributor gone from the mix.

We are committed as ever to the extension of power along highway 37 but that power extension is contingent upon industry contributing to that cost

Dealing with the Macquarie Bank Consultants report which says there is a total generation potential of 2,500 MW, which includes 800 MW of geothermal power, Neufeld says there is going to be another call for proposals for the generation of electrical power in the province put out by BC hydro and that expression should be made to them.

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