Public Utilities Board Hearings: Final Arguments (Sept 9th)

As you might already know: Manitoba Eco-Network and Environmental Defence Canada are Intervenors in the ongoing Public Utilities Board hearings regarding Manitoba Hydro’s Integrated Resource Plan.

Hydro plans to build three new fossil gas powered combustion turbines in Brandon. Our final arguments were delivered on Thursday, September 3rd. Manitoba Hydro will make its final reply arguments TOMORROW, Tuesday, September 9th. The Public Utilities Board will then issue recommendations to the government within 60 days.

We intervened because:
– Addressing the climate crisis requires that we stop building new fossil fuel powered infrastructure.
– Evidence in the hearing demonstrated that we should not be building new combustion turbines. There are cheaper and more flexible options that can meet our energy needs, such as energy conservation, further development of wind and solar, and grid scale battery energy storage.
– New fossil-gas plants are bad for the environment and they are bad for ratepayers. Deferring building the plants for just three years will save $450 million in interest costs, and will result in $1.2 billion in higher net revenue for Manitoba Hydro by 2045.

It is our hope that by intervening here, our efforts lead to some good recommendations from the Public Utilities Board.

However, the Public Utilities Board only issues recommendations. The final decision rests with the Manitoba Cabinet.

Now is the time to reach out to Adrien Sala, the Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro and other members of Manitoba’s cabinet to tell them that you do not want to see Manitoba waste billions of dollars on new natural gas combustion turbines. Tell them to invest those funds in energy conservation, wind, solar, and grid-scale batteries instead.