Labrador businesses eagerly await new Churchill deal, but concerns loom after Muskrat Falls
Julianne Griffin says towns, residents and businesses should speak with a collective voice
Excitement has been swirling since the announcement of a new tentative Churchill Falls hydro deal, but a Labrador business advocate says the province needs to take lessons from the Muskrat Falls debacle to make the new deal flow smoothly for everyone.
The proposed deal, which could pour hundreds of billions of dollars into Newfoundland and Labrador over the next 50 years, is something Labrador North Chamber of Commerce CEO Julianne Griffin says people have been hoping for.
"The general reaction has been very positive, from what we've been hearing, and our members are quite eager to learn more and to prepare their operations if need be," Griffin told CBC Radio's Labrador Morning.
"There are many who are cautious, of course, with such an announcement because of the sensitivities with Muskrat Falls."
The Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project was billions over budget and years behind schedule. It'll cost Newfoundland and Labrador $3.5 billion in rate mitigation from now until 2030.
Griffin says it's critical the new Churchill Falls deal avoids the problems that Muskrat Falls had.
That includes involving town councils, the chamber, trades' organizations, the College of the North Atlantic and residents in those discussions, she said.
"I think we should all look at having a bit of a collective voice and a united front," said Griffin.
"I think we need to keep as much development within the municipality, and the municipal boundary as possible, so we can avail of those taxes and certain fees and developments."
Going forward with the new Churchill Falls deal, she said she wants to ensure the municipalities secure the future benefits.
"We're going to require significant leadership now," she said. "As a chamber representing the business community, we will begin that work immediately."
Seat at table
Griffin says preparation should start now ahead of any developments at Gull Island — an undeveloped hydroelectric proposal further down the Churchill River.
She says the projects will need a lot of engagement and that the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce is eager to help with those discussions, having already spoken with leadership at Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.
N.L. Hydro is visiting Happy Valley-Goose Bay in January to hear from members about timelines for the projects. Griffin says that will help businesses prepare for the future.
"The members have questions around RFPs and contracts, of course, suppliers selection, how those opportunities will be communicated," she said.
She says it's her understanding that preliminary work on the Gull Island hydroelectric project will begin soon, pointing to a number of documents like the Lower Churchill Benefits strategy and the environmental assessment for Gull Island.
"This is the last major hydroelectric project to be realized in North America and it's three times the size of Muskrat [Falls]," said Griffin.
"Labrador has long been viewed as a natural resource powerhouse really with significant green and renewable energy potential."
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With files from Labrador Morning