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dam-l Re: Fwd: Pimicikamak Cree Nation press release 29 March 2000 (fwd)
Forwarded message:
> From William_J_Braun@mail.mcc.org Wed Mar 29 18:45:43 2000
> 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 supplying export
> electricity 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 -
>
>
>