Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the last week, Members and I have spoken to the issue of high costs of living in NWT communities. The high cost of living is directly linked to the cost of fuel. It has become clear that the only way to reduce fuel cost is to reduce fuel use.
The NWT Energy Plan was an important piece of policy work for the 17th Assembly. It lays out a framework for how we will supply energy to our communities and industry. The planed proposal ties Kakisa and Fort Providence into the hydro grid and expanding hydro power to create the NWT grid.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly support these actions. With the opening of the Deh Cho Bridge, the GNWT has new options for extending a transmission line to Fort Providence, Dory Point and Kakisa. For too long, these communities have paid for diesel power while their neighbours just a few hours to the south have cheaper, cleaner hydro power.
One option is to run a low voltage line from the Taltson power plant directly to Kakisa and Fort Providence. Another plan would be to run a high voltage transmission line around the west side of the Great Slave Lake to connect the Taltson and Snare power systems. A low voltage “step down” line would reach Fort Providence and Kakisa.
There are many benefits to developing a grid. The major challenge is cost. A transmission line to Fort Providence is estimated to cost between $20 million to $30 million. This sounds like a lot of money, but we must consider the long-term payback of hydro power. Hydro dams don’t have the gigantic environmental footprint that fossil fuels do. Once diesel is burned, it’s gone forever. Water, properly managed and protected, can supply energy as long as the river flows.
The Kakisa and Fort Providence transmission line appears in the Energy Action Plan but not in our budget. We need to earmark some dollars for future development. We must seek opportunities to partner with industry wherever possible. We need to get industrial customers online while projects are in the review process, ensuring no opportunities are missed, even opportunities we have yet to discover. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
