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Re: dam-l Pimicikamak Cree Nation Press release available... in MS Word :-(
Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Cross Lake, Manitoba, Canada
Manitoba Hydro Declares US Energy Export Reliability Information Secret:
Refuses Manitoba Cree Indians' Freedom of Information Request
For immediate release
Cross Lake, Manitoba, March 29 -- Canadian provincial utility Manitoba Hydro
has formally refused to provide Pimicikamak Cree Nation (PCN) and its energy
experts the data required to determine the utility's reliability in
exporting $300 million of electricity annually, mainly to the Minnesota
energy market. The Cree Indians had filed a request, under Manitoba's
Freedom of Information Act, for the utility's studies of reliability. This
issue is critical for Minnesotans whose utility, Northern States Power
(NSP), is considering increasing its dependence on Manitoba power.
"We can only conclude that Manitoba Hydro has news that it is hiding from
us, from Manitobans, and from Minnesotans," said John Miswagon, Chief of
Pimicikamak Cree Nation of Cross Lake, Manitoba. "Are Hydro's promises of
reliability false? Until Hydro releases its reliability studies, we can
only assume the worst."
"Manitoba Hydro's exports are like a house of cards. Americans depend on
Manitoba Hydro for firm energy and Manitoba Hydro depends on the US for
replacement power," said Ann Stewart, PCN's US Information Officer. "It
seems that if a temperature spike and a drought occurred at the same time,
the Twin Cities may be looking at brownouts."
Preliminary studies by PCN indicate that Manitoba Hydro may encounter
substantial difficulties in honoring its contractual commitments with its
largest American utility customer, NSP. Detailed comments filed last month
by the Pimicikamak Crees at Minnesota's Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
indicate that the risk may be high.
However, in the face of Manitoba Hydro's decision to declare its reliability
studies secret, it is impossible to determine. Such a secrecy move would not
occur in the US regulatory context.
Shortly after Pimicikamak Cree Nation submitted its comments, Manitoba Hydro
suddenly announced plans to install 225 MW of gas-fired turbine backup at
its thermal plant in Brandon to improve reliability during low-flow
conditions. "This is a clear indication that Manitoba Hydro is aware of its
possible inability to fulfill future contractual obligations with NSP," said
Robert McCullough, President of McCullough Research in Portland, Oregon, an
energy expert hired by Pimicikamak Cree Nation. McCullough Research has
expertise in both Pacific Northwest and Quebec hydro operations.
"Manitoba Hydro represents itself as a supplier of clean, renewable
hydropower. In fact, what it's actually delivering will be an unreliable mix
of electricity generated from coal, gas and environmentally damaging
mega-hydro," said Ian Goodman, President of The Goodman Group in Berkeley,
California, the Crees' other US energy experts.
"We suggest that Minnesotans examine these critical issues closely because
Manitoba Hydro may have cozily misrepresented itself to NSP, its biggest
American customer -- but ultimately to Minnesotans," said Miswagon.
Northern States Power petitioned the PUC in 1999 for review of its
"all-source request" for proposals for up to 1200 megawatts of electricity.
It is expected that NSP will soon forward its short list of favored bidders
to the PUC, and this list may include Manitoba Hydro. New contracts to
supply base load and peaking generation are expected to be signed in April.
Further information:
Robert McCullough - Portland, Oregon: 503-771-5090
Ian Goodman - Berkeley, California: 510-841-1200
Ann Stewart - Minneapolis, Minnesota: 612-871-8404
- 30 -
----- Original Message -----
From: D. Murray <dianne@sandelman.ottawa.on.ca>
To: dam impacts discussion list <dam-l@sandelman.ottawa.on.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2000 6:20 PM
Subject: dam-l Pimicikamak Cree Nation Press release available... in MS Word
:-(
> Well, if anyone wants a copy I can bounce you one.
>
> Unfortuynately I don't have it in ASCII text format.
>
> :-(
>
> -Dianne
>
References: