Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has done a significant amount of work on the whole area of biomass and released a Biomass Strategy. We have invested significantly as a government in converting buildings. We are talking to a proponent now, currently, who has some very ambitious plans to look at a pellet plant in the North that would bring value-added industries into the North for the provision of biomass. NTPC itself is going to be looking at the possibilities in some of the smaller communities to try to look at replacement of diesel. As well, as we...

There is significant potential. We’ve spent, over the last Assembly and before, about $13 million doing all the technical work, getting all the permitting and environmental work done when we initially contemplated going up to the diamond mines. That has not proven feasible, so now we are looking at options both north and south with grid connections with putting the power into the communities, a possible hookup to Yellowknife. The Member has mentioned two potential mine projects that could put that power to use. We know that the Taltson has up to about 200 megawatts of power if fully put to use...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled “NT Energy Strategic Plan 2012-2014.”

That is an option that is currently under consideration. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This issue has been discussed around the Cabinet table. As well, the Power Corp has had discussions about what may be possible among its board members and within the corporation. As well, there have been some discussions with the proponents of these various projects about the need for affordable energy and power, how critical that could be and what’s possible, especially looking at the area by the Buffalo Junction where some of the proposed sites are. Thank you.

As well, Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document, entitled “Public Accounts 2010-2011 Section I and II.”

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the more important question is, given the Member’s acknowledgement or description of, in his mind, the shortcomings of what the government is doing, what does the Member suggest we should be doing differently that we’re not currently doing, given that we’re on the eve of moving into yet another business planning process?

Mr. Speaker, high electricity costs are a fact of life in the North and are a significant component of the cost of living for the people of the Northwest Territories. External factors like global energy prices, our remote location and lack of economies of scale all contribute to high costs in our communities. Some costs of producing and distributing electricity in the NWT can be controlled, however, and the Government of the Northwest Territories remains committed to managing these in order to keep costs for our residents as low as possible.

Last December I updated Members of the Legislative...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Bill 2, Interim Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), 2012-2013, be read for the third time.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Bill 2, Interim Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), 2012-2013, be read for the first time. Thank you.