Muskrat mind not made up yet, Martin says
Nalcor responds to Manitoba Hydro review in interview with On Point
CBC News
Posted: Feb 4, 2012 3:21 PM NT
Last Updated: Feb 4, 2012 3:19 PM NT
The chief executive officer of the proponent behind the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project denies that his mind is made up over the controversial plan to generate energy on Labrador's Churchill River.
Nalcor CEO Ed Martin, in a feature interview with On Point with David Cochrane, said he wants to be completely confident that the case for Muskrat Falls is sound, and better than alternatives, before he recommends that the megaproject proceed to sanction.
"I'm in a situation before I open the gate and make a recommendation to the government, I have to be satisfied," he said.
"So the very thought that I have my mind made up is the furthest thing from my mind," said Martin. [Click on the video above to see the full interview.]
Earlier this week, Manitoba Hydro International (MHI) delivered its report on Nalcor's proposal to the Public Utilities Board, which is expected to complete its own review of Muskrat Falls by March 31.
MHI endorsed the Nalcor proposal, although its support was conditional. The external reviewers had problems with Nalcor's expectations and budget materials, and asked the Crown-owned energy corporation to do more work on
Martin said that Nalcor itself had been soliciting "cold-eyes" reviews that would provide a clear opinion without vested interests.
"We're asking others to come in and find fault with this, because we need to know," he said.
Meanwhile, the On Point political panel assesses the MHI report and the future of Muskrat Falls. Taking part this week are former Tory cabinet minister Shawn Skinner, former Liberal MP Siobhan Coady and Federation of Labour president Lana Payne.
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