Fletcher wades in on hydro debate

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/02/2007 (7148 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG Tory MP Steven Fletcher has accused the Manitoba government of being disingenuous about wanting an east-west power grid.

In a phone call to the Free Press, Fletcher was critical of the province’s intention to use part of its share of the new $1.5-billion federal green fund for the proposed power grid.

“If the Manitoba government was really serious about an east-west grid, they would build the (new) transmission line on the east side of Lake Winnipeg,” Fletcher said.

Manitoba Finance Minister Greg Selinger said Fletcher is out of line with his criticism and could be harming negotiations between the two governments to build the grid.

“If he’s really concerned about the east-west grid, he should be working with his own government in Ottawa to get it funded,” said Selinger. “For him to start poking his nose into provincial matters shows he’s not focused where he should be.”

Debate

The debate over the location of a new transmission line from the north has gone on for years.

Manitoba Hydro initially wanted to build it down the east side of Lake Winnipeg, but the provincial government balked since it would pass through a pristine patch of wilderness under consideration as a United Nations heritage site.

The alternative route — taking the line down the west side of the lake — would be longer, more expensive and very close to existing lines. Critics of the west-side route say a major storm could threaten all power transmissions at the same time.

“There are just so many things wrong with the plan to go through the Interlake,” said Fletcher. “I hope this is an election issue in the next provincial election. The NDP government does not have a leg to stand on.”

Fletcher’s entry into the debate irked Selinger, who said it is strange for a federal government MP to wade into provincial matters, particularly when he isn’t the lead federal contact on the file or even involved in the negotiations.

Fletcher is potentially harming the discussions Manitoba is having with Ottawa about the power grid, Selinger said.

“We are working with his cabinet colleagues on this issue,” he said. “He’s looking like a loose cannon.”

The east-west power grid would connect the provinces with hydro transmission lines. It would open up new domestic markets for Manitoba Hydro, which relies mainly on the United States for its export sales.

mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca