Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Infrastructure, also the Minister responsible for the Energy Division.
Mr. Speaker, we have committed to capturing local alternatives to fossil fuel usage, such as hydro. This government, along with the federal government, has made some public announcements recently, as well as provided some funding recently with regard to the potential expansion of the Taltson Hydro Power Project. The Premier spoke about it proudly earlier today in his statement. There still remain concern and some criticism about this project, so I have some questions for the Minister responsible for the Energy Division.
Mr. Speaker, I am aware of our existing hydro system, such as Snare, Bluefish, and Taltson, but does the Government of the Northwest Territories have a long-standing hydro strategy with plans to install dams on a number of NWT rivers? If so, could the Minister please provide that strategy to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories released a draft hydro strategy in 2010. The hydro potential was noted to be 11,520 megawatts in the energy report produced by the Government of the Northwest Territories in May of 2011. Hydro development is included in the vision for the 2030 Energy Strategy and Energy Action Plan. The Taltson Hydro Expansion Project is the best understood option that we have to develop industrial-scale hydro potential in the near term that connect three legacy hydro assets you've mentioned. There is no specific plans in place beyond that exploratory work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the Minister for the clarity. We are really, when it comes to Hydro, just talking about the existing dams and hydro systems that we currently have. Mr. Speaker, it's been also stated that hydro power is not "green" energy. What is the GNWT's position on hydroelectric power? Is it ecologically and environmentally sound, or is it an unsafe way to generate renewable energy?
The Government of the Northwest Territories believes that hydro power can be developed in an ecologically sensitive and environmentally safe manner for the benefit of the residents of the communities and our economy in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that the Minister believes that this is a safe, ecological, and sound way in which to produce energy. I am happy to hear that the government believes in that. I would like to ask the Minister: is it the intent of expanding the Taltson to lower the cost of living for residents, or is it to mitigate impacts on climate change, or is it in fact to provide carbon-free energy to the mineral development industry?
Yes, we believe that all three of those can be achieved through doing this and as well as for future resource development in our territory.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
Mr. Speaker, sometimes we are criticized that, if we put money in one area, then another area is going to suffer. Does the money from the GNWT or the federal government that gets directed at hydro power take away from money and/or resources to develop or expand alternative energy opportunities in our thermal, remote communities?
No, it does not. Mini hydro is a firm and renewable energy option for three of our thermal communities that we will consider as part of our existing funding agreements with the Government of Canada, and we can set aside the funds necessary to build those projects where communities feel it is the best option to pursue. We will also consider other alternatives. Feasibility stage costs for the Taltson hydro expansion are included in the energy action plan, but significant new sources of funding and financing will be needed before it can proceed to construction. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
