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dam-l FW: Int'l Sierra Club p release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sierra Club Takes Action Against American Imports of Manitoba Canada Hydro
Power
Toronto, Minneapolis and Madison, February 1, 2000 -- The International
Committee of Sierra Club North America has taken a strong position against
the continued environmental and human rights violations experienced by
Pimicikamak Cree Indians in northern Manitoba, and caused in part by the
hydro project that has devastated their lives, and the vast and critical
environment on which they depend.
The Club's committee has written directly to the CEOs of Northern States
Power, Minnesota Power, New Century Energies, and Manitoba Hydro, urging
accountability and action from these utilities.
"The Sierra Club believes that Manitoba Hydro's hydroelectric megaproject
has serious damaging effects on the northern Manitoba environment and on
the indigenous people whose lands, cultures, economies and lives have been
directly affected," said Richard Cellarius, chair of the International
Committee. "We are in full support of the fundamental rights of indigenous
peoples everywhere to speak out to protect their native environment."
"Hydroelectric development of this magnitude and type is not clean, benign
or renewable: it devastates land, water, species and their habitats, and
the people who live with this environment, and it often displaces truly
renewable energy alternatives and conservation measures," Cellarius added.
The letters include a strong statement by Sierra Club on this issue:
--------------------
“The Sierra Club urges American utilities to subject this hydroelectric
power from Manitoba Hydro to state and federal environmental and social
impact assessments. If such hydropower is assessed as harmful, the Sierra
Club would urge American energy regulators to deem such hydropower unfit
for American importation. The Sierra Club urges all utilities and
governments
to divert expenditures from this type of harmful hydropower to development
and use of cleaner, renewable alternatives such as wind and solar power,
and to conservation programs."
The 22-year-old hydro project known as the Lake Winnipeg Regulation and
Churchill River Diversion Project has flooded or damaged more than 50,000
square miles of North American boreal forest and destroyed Pimicikamak
Crees' traditional livelihood. Manitoba Hydro exports 40 percent of the
electricity generated by the project to 35 American utilities. Northern
States Power based in Minneapolis is the largest purchaser, while Minnesota
Power in Duluth has a bulk power trading agreement with Manitoba Hydro.
Later this year, NSP will merge with New Century Energies to become Xcel
Energy with offices in Denver and Minneapolis.
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For more information, contact one of the following:
Sierra Club North Star Chapter (Minnesota): Anne Ostberg, 651-222-3461
Sierra Club John Muir Chapter (Wisconsin): Caryl Terrell, 608-256-0565
Sierra Club Canada: Kate Kempton, 416-691-7897
Pimicikamak Cree Nation: Ann Stewart, US Information Officer, 612-871-8404