Feeling the electric shock
Published Saturday November 7th, 2009
The provincial government was elected with the energy axis as one of its three core campaign projects (along with education and the economy). It then led the province by focusing on the concept of self-sufficiency. The proposal to sell NB Power to Hydro-Québec has taken everyone by surprise. It's a real shock for the population. How can we claim to be self-sufficient by abandoning the exclusive ownership of a critical sector like energy? This question is an entirely legitimate one.
We're selling our most precious family jewels, as well as our principal residence in energy (which is profitable, less polluting, has transmission lines) for a sum that barely covers the debt, and we'll keep the old broken-down barn and the shed that's falling down (Belledune and Coleson Cove). So we'll become lessee, not owner, without becoming wealthier as a province.
Furthermore, we'll have to repair the nuclear power plant which, financially, is a bottomless pit in our energy system. Then Hydro-Québec will be able to consider buying it, when it's cleaned up and working properly... and in a position to generate profits!
For a far-reaching transaction such as this, you would think that they would also have made sure that Dalhousie was compensated for the $1.5 million in municipal tax it will lose from the closure of their polluting plant for at least five years. It would make up for the repeated blows (said Mayor Tremblay) that this municipality has endured over the past few years. At the very least, this should be considered.
The sale of NB Power certainly has a seductive side to it from an environmental point of view. It cannot be denied that Hydro-Québec is a world leader in renewable energy. Furthermore, New Brunswick's environmental community has been thrilled by this transaction up until now. The building of gigantic dams is certainly responsible for environmental destruction, but the long-term benefits compensate for this collateral damage in the end.
Furthermore, the lure of a residential rate freeze over the next five years is tempting. However, we should require that these rate freezes be equivalent to those currently paid by the Quebec population. If Hydro-Québec is capable of offering lower business rates (here, again, a gold mine for the big fish and crumbs for the small fry), citizens should also be entitled to the same treatment. We must recognize that being subject to the lowest industrial rates in North America will foster business development.
We should also refuse an increase in these rates in the future at the rate of inflation. A large company like Hydro-Québec should create adequate reserve funds, allowing it to absorb these citizen hikes and keep rates within reasonable limits. But will we be citizens or simply customers of Hydro-Québec?
Quebec is one of the most progressive provinces in Canada; we'd be entitled to hope that, one day, our province will be open to importing the following from Québec as well: day care services for our children at $7 dollars a day; its Pay Equity Act and anti-scab legislation; or simply its lower university tuition rates. I realize there is no direct link between these, but one can always dream.
With this being said, this little aside also allows me to stress that nobody should allow themselves to venture into the realm of anti-Quebec prejudice during the upcoming debates on the subject. Quebec bashing must not surge within the realm of discussion.
Was the government attempting to break away from the sombre fall with the sale of NB Power to Hydro-Québec? Unless that's the case, is this yet another example of their great art of ad-hocery? Whatever the case may be, I view this transaction somewhat favourably, but several elements will need to be sorted out before I'm completely convinced. Indeed, much remains unknown with regards to this portfolio (for instance, what will happen with our wind energy development?).
One would hope that the electric shock felt by the population following this decision doesn't come from a stun gun, such a shock being just as likely to kill as to calm.
One thing is certain, this issue is certainly giving the neighbours something to talk about.
The democratic process must find its place in the development of this portfolio before a final decision is made. Although many think that it's a 'done deal'; we're entitled to ask for a referendum. At least, for once the government hasn't come up short with regards to audacity and creativity... and it's nice to see!
Jean-Marie Nadeau is a former journalist, union leader and community activist. He has run twice in provincial elections for the NDP and is President of Société de l'Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick. The opinions expressed in the column are solely the author's. His column appears in the Telegraph-Journal each Saturday.
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M. Nadeau has some very legitimate questions, but I see this as audacious and creative too. It might be risky politically, but this seems worth exploring for the environmental benefits alone. It's also foward-looking; the energy world of the 21st century will be regionally-based. Why not cooperative with a close neighbour who has excess clean and renewable energy? Better than importing from Venezuela or the Middle East.