Invest in cheaper power, not power rate subsidies: N.W.T. MLA
N.W.T. MLA Bob Bromley says the territorial government is just throwing more money at a problem that still isn't solved by covering the cost of a proposed power rate hike.
The NWT Power Corporation had applied for a 13 per cent rate increase because of record low waters levels at the Snare Lake hydroelectric system.
But on Friday, N.W.T. Premier Bob McLeod announced the government will cover the $20 million needed by NTPC to pay for diesel-generated electricity by borrowing the money.
"This is the sort of decision we've made for the entire seven years I've been an MLA that now amounts to literally hundreds of millions of dollars in subsidies to the power rates," says Bromley, MLA for Weledeh.
"Had we actually been putting that money into infrastructure that produces cheaper power, and cleaner power, and power that lasts forever, then we wouldn't be facing this situation today."
Bromley says residents will pay in other ways, through reduced services, environmental costs, lack of jobs and taxes.
The territory is holding a meeting Nov. 3 and 4 in Yellowknife to help plan an affordable energy strategy. Bromley says a similar meeting in 2012 didn't produce a sustainable plan.